AAAS E-119
Chocolate, Culture, and the Politics of Food
Carla D. Martin PhD, Lecturer on African and African American Studies, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25963 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the sociohistorical legacy of chocolate, with a delicious emphasis on the eating and appreciation of the so-called food of the gods. Interdisciplinary course readings introduce the history of cacao cultivation, the present day state of the global chocolate industry, the diverse cultural constructions surrounding chocolate, and the implications for chocolate’s future of scientific study, international politics, alternative trade models, and the food movement. Assignments address pressing real-world questions related to chocolate consumption, social justice, responsible development, honesty and the politics of representation in production and marketing, hierarchies of quality, and myths of purity.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course African and African American Studies 119x. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Thursdays, 3:45-5:45 pm starting January 30 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
AAAS E-122
Understanding Race and Racism
Carla D. Martin PhD, Lecturer on African and African American Studies, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17106 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the history of race and racism key analytical constructs that express fundamental issues not only of power and inequality, but also of justice, democracy, equity, and emancipation. The study of race in the social sciences and humanities is an established, dynamic, multidisciplinary, and international field. To understand race and racism with a global perspective, it is necessary to have a trans-disciplinary, cross-cultural view to critically read the phenomena that intersect with this variable. Course readings are drawn from the fields of African and African American studies, sociology, history, cultural studies, political science, anthropology, philosophy, journalism, and public health. The vast literature produced by scholars in diverse fields provides evidence of how race is based on narratives created to enslave, subordinate, exploit, and exclude millions of human beings across the globe. Assignments address pressing real-world questions related to race and racism, as well as pedagogically significant areas of intellectual and academic development.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
AAAS E-143
African Landscape Architecture: Alternative Futures for the Field
Gareth Doherty PhD, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design and Affiliate of the Department of African and African American Studies, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26753 | Section 1
Description
A central aim of this course is to reveal the plurality of ways landscapes are shaped across the African continent and how they help mitigate the impacts of changing climates and social injustices now and in the future. Africa is a continent rich in landscape projects and practices but only eight out of fifty-four African nations have professional associations of landscape architects. The course is framed around three central questions: how is landscape architecture currently practiced in African countries? What lessons can we learn from landscape practices in various African societies that can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and social inequities? And as landscape architecture unfolds across the continent in the next 50-200 years, how can it continue assert its agency in the fight against changing climates and social inequity and claim a central space in the shaping of African cities of the future? In collaboration with several practitioners and academics from across the continent, this course explores what it means to practice and teach landscape architecture in societies in which the profession is nascent or non-existent and speculate on the future of the shaping of landscapes in the global south.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course African and African American Studies 143Y. Registered students are encouraged to participate in the live stream lectures. They can also watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside Division of Continuing Education (DCE), FAS, and Graduate School of Design (GSD) students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS or GSD students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ANTH E-1000
Pyramid Schemes: What Can Ancient Egyptian Civilization Teach Us?
Peter Manuelian PhD, Barbara Bell Professor of Egyptology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26934 | Section 1
Description
How much of your impression of the ancient world was put there by Hollywood, music videos, or orientalist musings out of the West? How accurate are these depictions? Does it matter? This course examines the quintessential example of the “exotic, mysterious ancient world” ancient Egypt to interrogate these questions. Who has used ancient Egypt as a construct, and to what purpose? Did you know that pyramids, mummies, King Tut, and Cleopatra represent just the (overhyped) tip of a very rich civilization that holds plenty of life lessons for today? Combine the ancient Egyptians’ explanations of the world’s natural forces with all the social complexity of human interaction and you have a fully formed society about four millennia of accumulated experience! Can investigating the real ancient Egypt unpack our current misconceptions about the land of the pharaohs? Hardly morose, tomb-building zombies, the Egyptians embraced life in all its messy details. Piety and corruption, imperialism and isolationism, divinity and mortality all played significant roles in life along the Nile. What can we learn about the nature of politics and society in our time by seeing the parallels between the ancient past and today? We explore archaeology, modern Egyptomania, repatriation, new digital visualization technologies, and international politics. What was ancient Egyptian racism? What is archaeological racism? Who owns the past? Who needs it? We take excursions into Egyptian art, history, politics, religion, literature and language (hieroglyphs), plus examine the evolution of Egyptology as a discipline.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1099. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
ANTH E-1050
Moctezuma’s Mexico Then and Now: Ancient Empire, Race Mixture, and Finding LatinX
David Carrasco PhD, Neil L. Rudenstine Professor for the Study of Latin America, Harvard University
William L. Fash PhD, Charles P. Bowditch Professor of Central American and Mexican Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16855 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore how pre-Hispanic and Colonial Mexican and Latina/o cultures provide vital context for understanding today’s changing world. The emphasis is on the mythical and social origins, glory days, and political collapse of the Aztec Empire and Maya civilizations as a pivot to the study of the sexual, religious, and racial interactions of the Great Encounter between Mesoamerica, Africa, Europe, and the independent nations of Mexico and the United States. The study of the archaeology, artistic media, cosmovision, capital cities, human sacrifice, and the religious devotions of ancient Mesoamerica illuminate the Day of the Dead and Virgin of Guadalupe phenomena today. Objects at the Peabody Museum are used to examine new concepts of race, nation, and the persistence of Moctezuma’s Mexico in Latino identities in the Mexico-US Borderlands. This course empowers students to evaluate the ways the US is changing and struggling to define itself in relation to Latin America and especially the migration of peoples, ideas, arts, music, and food from and through Mexico.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1148. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1:15 pm starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ANTH E-118
Histories and Ethnographies of Capitalism
James P. Herron PhD, Director of the Harvard Writing Project and Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16813 | Section 1
Description
Karl Marx famously wrote that with the advance of capitalist social relations, “all that is solid melts into air.” Here Marx refers to the supposed power of capitalism to destroy pre-existing economic, social, and cultural orders. In the centuries since capitalism spread over the globe, it has indeed transformed the lifeways and cultures of peoples throughout the world. In more recent years, globalization understood as the widespread and accelerated movement of capital across national borders has radically altered the lives of many peoples, from peasants in China to industrial workers in Michigan. This course critically examines capitalism historically and ethnographically. In the first part of the course, we consider historical accounts of the origins, development, and transformation of American capitalism, focusing on the key themes of slavery, industrialization, and financialization. In the second part of the course, we consider ethnographic accounts of life under contemporary capitalism, focusing on the cultural responses of peoples experiencing the rapid social change, dislocation, opportunities, and hardships brought about by changing capitalist social relations. We consider questions such as how have people coped culturally with the demands of capitalist wage labor and work discipline? How have capitalist social relations transformed communities, families, and senses of ethnic and national identity? Students may not take both ANTH E-118 and SSCI E-118 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ANTH E-1232
Archaeology of the African Holocene
Shayla Monroe PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17109 | Section 1
Description
This course is an overview of archaeological studies on African sites dating from around 12,000 BCE to 1,500 CE. We cover major societal transitions and migrations, including food production, the desertification of the Sahara, the development of states and urbanism, the Iron Age, the Bantu migrations, and the trans-Saharan gold trade.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Anthropology 1232. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1:15 pm starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ANTH E-1415
The Anthropology of Crisis
Lowell A. Brower PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26754 | Section 1
Description
This course tracks the maneuvers of expressive culture through crises, conflict zones, and emergency situations. By examining the creative interventions of storytellers, performers, and artists in response to a wide range of ruptures and transformations from political upheaval to genocidal violence, forced migration, social revolution, ecological disaster, and everyday rites of passage, the course illuminates and interrogates the powers, potentials, politics, and poetics of cultural performance, communal storytelling, ritual praxis, and folkloric tradition in the face of destabilizing change and unprecedented emergencies. We ask how storytellers revive and revise old stories to confront new challenges; how preexisting expressive forms weather unprecedented socio-cultural storms; and how individuals and communities attempt to re-narrate themselves after calamity. What role can storytelling play in imagining communities, navigating rites of passage, and confronting existential and ethical dilemmas? How do people turn their afflictions into art? What roles can folklore play in reimagining communities, rehabilitating selves, and remaking worlds? Beginning with a critical re-examination of popular discourses of crisis and emergency, we explore the potentials and limitations of these categories as they relate to everyday life and inter-subjective exchange in places as diverse as the refugee camps of Rwanda, the bayous of Louisiana, the pubs of Ireland, the alleyways of Cairo, and the message boards of 4-Chan. Along with troubling the lines between the everyday and the emergency, in the manner of Walter Benjamin, we also investigate Martin Heidegger’s distinction between artistic performances that rescue us from the emergency and those that rescue us into the emergency. Through critical engagement with a diverse array of texts, artistic creations, cultural practices, and folkloric performances, this course calls attention to the ways in which scholarly production, humanitarian intervention, political activism, and artistic performance are implicated and imbricated in the production of crisis, for better and for worse. In treating crisis as both experiential reality for those who live through it, and as what Janet Roitman calls a “narrative construction,” the course ultimately seeks to interrogate its own premise, illuminating the ways in which the invocation of emergency itself might be considered a form of artistic, imaginative, and transformative interventions.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ANTH E-1643
Language and Culture
James P. Herron PhD, Director of the Harvard Writing Project and Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26755 | Section 1
Description
This course offers students an introduction to linguistic anthropology, the study of language in social and cultural context. Linguistic anthropology begins with the fundamental assumption that language structure and language use are integral parts of human culture. We begin by exploring language as a medium that does not simply communicate ideas but that constructs our identities, sense of reality, and social worlds. Our approach in the course emphasizes the role of language in understanding all aspects of human social relations. We consider these basic questions: what is language? How are we to understand linguistic diversity and language change? Does speaking a particular language affect our understanding of the world? How does language variation mark and reproduce hierarchical social divisions such as class, race, ethnic, and gender differences? What are the social effects of language standardization and whose interest does it serve? How are power differences between speakers manifest in their use of language? How are social identities and relations enacted in face-to-face conversations? In answering these questions we view language both as a formal symbolic system and as an open, flexible, and strategic cultural resource. Our approach involves both theoretical arguments and the consideration of particular case studies.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ANTH E-1645
Money and Power: Cultural Approaches to Economic Life
James P. Herron PhD, Director of the Harvard Writing Project and Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26215 | Section 1
Description
This course considers how culture shapes the economic aspects of our lives. That is, we seek to understand the economy not as a separate realm with its own special logic and structure but instead as embedded in the social relations, identities, and cultural practices of everyday life. Our major course themes include exchange, money, debt, commodification, markets, and labor. We consider questions such as, how do the different kinds of exchanges we engage in gift exchanges versus market exchanges, for instance shape our relationships with others? We explore the social meaning of money and the role of the market in our lives. In a world where it is possible to rent a family, does money destroy love and intimacy? What aspects of our lives are governed by the logic of capitalism and what aspects escape capitalism’s grip? Why does it feel shameful to be in debt, and how has this shame been manipulated for political purposes? Why in the US do we consider work to be sacred and morally purifying even though many of us have tedious jobs? The course readings include theoretical and empirical works drawn mainly from the fields of anthropology, economic sociology, and heterodox economics. Our key texts include David Graeber’s Debt, Viviana Zelizer’s The Social Meaning of Money, and Sidney Mintz’s Sweetness and Power.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ANTH E-1663
The Supernatural in the Modern World
Lowell A. Brower PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17107 | Section 1
Description
What do our ghost stories say about us, what do our beasts betray about us? Which witches bewitch us, which rumors consume us, and what sense can be made of what haunts us? Restless spirits, alien invaders, wicked witches, bloodthirsty vampires, legendary cryptids, murderous ogres, illuminati satanists, deep-state conspirators, memetic online menaces: our contemporary bestiary is overflowing with meaningful monsters. Our spine-tingling intellectual task in this course is to analyze the roles that these malevolent entities and the supernatural narratives we tell about them play in our everyday lives, collective psyches, communities, and politics, and in the crises we confront as individuals and groups. Are our occult stories allegories of our modern discontents or simply holdovers from our childhood nightmares? Are they symptoms of specific societal crises or representations of timeless pan-human fears? How has the witch hunt, the rumor panic, the standardized nightmare of the group transformed in this meme-ified age of online participatory culture, global interconnection, ecological catastrophe, and fake-news-driven conspiracy thinking? What can we learn about ourselves, our pasts, and our futures by thinking deeply about what scares us the most? And how frightened should we be of what we might find if we dig too deeply into that question? We analyze the supernatural in relationship historical memories, cultural anxieties, folk traditions, spiritual beliefs, physiological sensations, political conflicts, environmental disasters, and existential imperatives. Because nowhere is safe from the things that go bump in the night, our interdisciplinary journey takes us across time and space into the bellies of various beasts, from the gates of Harvard Yard, to the hills of Rwanda, the message boards of 4chan, the proms of rural Pennsylvania, the ships of the Middle Passage, the villages of medieval Europe, the halls of the White House, your creepy neighbor’s basement, and the deep dark woods. Our abominable assignments include creative reading responses, the documentation and analysis of frightful folklore, a fearsome final project, and a co-created haunted Harvard virtual tour. Course activities may include local excursions, storytelling sessions, and paranormal experimentation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ANTH E-1667
The Opioid Epidemic
Jason Bryan Silverstein PhD, Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine and Co-Director, Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health Program, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16797 | Section 1
Description
More people die every year from opioid overdoses than gunshot wounds and car accidents, and the crisis appears to be worsening and rapidly changing. Making matters worse, understanding the crisis in real time is notoriously difficult, especially since most who overdose do not go to hospitals and death certificates are often unreliable. And while everyone agrees something must be done, what that something is leads us into heated debates over health care spending and harm reduction. While most medical research focuses on the biology of disease, this course takes a biosocial approach to unmask how social factors, economic insecurity, and the availability of massive amounts of pharmaceuticals have become an overdose crisis. We read social scientists, journalists, public health scholars, and first-hand accounts in order to understand the chronic emergencies (such as de-industrialization and despair) behind this acute crisis. By investigating the opioid epidemic in this way, students are encouraged to think boldly and creatively beyond the traditional boundaries of medicine: perhaps someone’s best medicine is a housing voucher, or a testing strip to detect fentanyl. By the end of the course, students understand the social roots of the opioid epidemic and how solutions may be implemented.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ANTH E-167
Culture in Play: Toys, Games, and Sports
Richard Joseph Martin PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17108 | Section 1
Description
Common phrases like “it’s only a game” suggest that play is less than serious. But for players and spectators alike, play often entails considerable commitments, including substantial expenditures of time and money. Thus, despite common assumptions about its frivolity, play is in many senses serious, with social, economic, and political consequences as well as symbolic and experiential import. In this course, we explore what activities labeled play reveal about the cultures and peoples who take part in them, analyzing how everyday practices involving toys, games, and sports might illuminate broader social realities. Our discussions move us through a range of the anthropology’s subfields, from ritual studies to globalization, and from political and economic anthropology to studies of the body, gender, and sexuality. Some of our discussion topics include Olympic games and nationalism, dolls and the gendering of bodies, internet avatars and social constructions of the self, individualist ideology, and team spirit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ANTH E-1720
Magic Today: An Introduction to the Anthropology of Magic
Giovanna Parmigiani PhD, Lecturer on Religion and Cultural Anthropology and Research Associate in Transcendence and Transformation, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16985 | Section 1
Description
What is magic? Is it different from religion? Is magic a way of knowing? In this course, we look at magic from an anthropological perspective. We focus, in particular, on contemporary magic in Europe and North America, addressing for example contemporary paganisms, Wicca, chaos magic, new age spirituality, and contemporary esotericism. By engaging with ethnographic works, students become acquainted with or deepen their knowledge of the main issues, traditions, debates, and research in the field of the anthropology of religion and of magic. Students analyze contemporary magic vis- -vis popular culture, feminism, globalization, medicine, social media, history, and well-being. They do so through ethnographic readings, films, music, arts, discussions, and independent research.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
ANTH E-186
We Are One: An Anthropological Introduction to Contemporary Spiritualities
Giovanna Parmigiani PhD, Lecturer on Religion and Cultural Anthropology and Research Associate in Transcendence and Transformation, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26588 | Section 1
Description
What is spirituality? How is it different from religion? How is spirituality linked to well-being? In this course, we address some of the most widespread ideas and practices within contemporary spiritualities with an anthropological lens. We read scholarly work, for example, on astrology, Tarot, and divination; Reiki and energy healing; mediumship and near-death experiences; unidentified flying objects; and conspirituality. We discuss their relation to neoliberalism and material culture; their role in healing and in popular culture; and their connections with politics, time, environmentalism, the senses, and non-rational ways of knowing. We do so through ethnographic readings, films, music, arts, discussions, and independent research. By engaging with ethnographic works, students become acquainted with or deepen their knowledge of the main issues, traditions, debates, and research in the field of the anthropology of religion and spirituality.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
ARAB E-1
Intensive Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I
Muhammad A. Habib PhD, Preceptor in Arabic, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13547 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students who have not previously studied Arabic and introduces the script, sounds, and basic grammar of the language. Emphasis is placed on developing proficiency in all four skills (reading, speaking, listening, and writing), as well as an understanding and appreciation of Arabic culture.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ARAB E-2
Intensive Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II
Muhammad A. Habib PhD, Preceptor in Arabic, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23418 | Section 1
Description
This course is the continuation of ARAB E-1 and is designed to reinforce and build upon what has been covered during the first semester. This is a proficiency-based course; emphasis is placed on the development of reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills for the purpose of communicative goals. These technical aspects are acquired through the context of Arab cultures. By the end of this course, students are able to communicate about everyday situations, both verbally and in writing; understand the use of basic grammatical structures; acquire an understanding of fundamental cultural values, practices, and perspectives of native speakers of Arabic; develop productive listening skills; and enjoy using the language creatively.
Prerequisites: ARAB E-1 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ASTR E-80
Planets, Moons, and Their Stars: The Search for Life in the Cosmos
Alessandro Massarotti PhD, Associate Professor of Physics, Stonehill College and Associate of the Department of Astronomy, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16972 | Section 1
Description
Astrobiology, the subject of this course, is a new discipline born out of the convergence of all scientific inquiry currently under way on the question of the origin and development of life here on Earth and potentially elsewhere in the Universe. Recent advances in planetary exploration, astronomy, geochemistry, and biochemistry are leading to a revolution in our ideas on the emergence of life on our own planet and the likelihood of finding life outside the Earth. In particular, much is being learned about Mars and Venus because of the many recent and ongoing space missions. Spectacular data from Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons, like Titan, Europa, and Enceladus, show that these moons may become possible targets of future searches for life in our solar system. Geochemists are finding more and more intriguing clues about the Earth’s past by analyzing rocks dating from the very first period after the Earth’s formation, thus providing a fundamentally new context for research on the transition between chemistry and primordial life. And astronomers have been recently successful in searching for planets around other stars. Searches for extra-solar planets are currently under way and are leading to the discovery of Earth-like planets around solar-type stars.
Prerequisites: High School algebra. Some chemistry and physics background useful but not necessary.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
BIOS E-10
Introduction to Biochemistry
Robin Lynn Haynes PhD, Principal Associate in Pathology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Roopali Roy PhD, Instructor in Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14563 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an overview of the main aspects of biochemistry by relating molecular interactions to their effects on the organism as a whole, especially as related to human biology. The organization of macromolecules is addressed through a discussion of their hierarchical structure and a study of their assembly into complexes responsible for specific biological processes. Topics addressing protein function include enzyme kinetics, the characterization of major metabolic pathways, and their interconnection into tightly regulated networks.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology and chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm, Science Center C
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
BIOS E-10
Introduction to Biochemistry
Robin Lynn Haynes PhD, Principal Associate in Pathology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Roopali Roy PhD, Instructor in Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26917 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an overview of the main aspects of biochemistry by relating molecular interactions to their effects on the organism as a whole, especially as related to human biology. The organization of macromolecules is addressed through a discussion of their hierarchical structure and a study of their assembly into complexes responsible for specific biological processes. Topics addressing protein function include enzyme kinetics, the characterization of major metabolic pathways, and their interconnection into tightly regulated networks.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology and chemistry.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-107
Introduction to Medical Neuroscience
Daniel L. Roe PhD, Lecturer on Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Part-time, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26711 | Section 1
Description
This course presents students with an introduction to the major topics in neurological injury and disease. The student is introduced to the signs, symptoms, and underlying causes of a variety of conditions. Specific topics discussed include aneurysms, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, prosopagnosia, aphasia, contralateral neglect, neuropathy, meningioma, acoustic schwannoma, epidural and subdural hematoma, and pituitary tumor among others. Emphasis is on the neuroanatomical basis of injury and disease, and how this informs our understanding.
Prerequisites: Some background in basic biology is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, Tosteson Medical Ed Center 227
Required sections for graduate-credit students, optional sections for undergraduate-credit students to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: On-campus meetings are recorded. A live stream is available at the time the class meets. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. See minimum technology requirements. This course meets on the Longwood campus.
BIOS E-11
Medical Terminology
Jenny Smith MSc, Faculty Instructor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17141 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches the medical terminology and vocabulary used by individuals working in healthcare setting. The focus of this course is on medical and clinical terminology relating to human anatomy and physiology from an organ system perspective. An emphasis is placed on those terms relating to the clinical diagnosis and pathophysiology of disease states. Students also learn how to use prefixes, suffixes and word roots to determine the meaning of new terms. Common short hand used in the medical field such as acronyms and abbreviations are also covered.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-118
Deep Sea Biology
Pete Girguis PhD, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Meaghan Hanlon Sorce MA, Curatorial Assistant, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26553 | Section 1
Description
The oceans contain 97 percent of the Earth’s water, and host the most disparate ecosystems on the planet. This course provides an introduction to deep sea ocean habitats, animals, and microorganisms. Emphasis is placed on the physiological adaptations of organisms to their environment, as well as the role of microorganisms in mediating ocean biogeochemical cycles.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
BIOS E-12
Principles and Techniques of Molecular Biology
Alain Viel PhD, Senior Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 22965 | Section 1
Description
The course addresses both the fundamental principles and techniques of molecular biology. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of nucleic acid structure, molecular genetics, and the biochemistry of transcription and protein synthesis. Other topics include how mechanisms of gene regulation play a role in retroviral pathogenesis and embryonic development. Each lecture directly relates molecular biology to current laboratory techniques. Virtual laboratory sessions, using LabXchange, a free Harvard educational platform are included, These virtual laboratory sessions provide students with a broad exposure to several important techniques in molecular biology. Virtual experiments include current approaches to mutation analysis, protein interaction assays, and recombinant cDNA cloning by PCR.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously), BIOS E-1ax, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-129
Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
Saige Lorraine Pompura PhD, Academic Coordinator, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16940 | Section 1
Description
We are entering a new era in which a fundamental understanding of developmental biology and regeneration will play a critical role. In this course, embryonic and adult stem cells in different organisms are examined in terms of their molecular, cellular, and potential therapeutic properties. Genetic reprogramming and cloning of animals are critically evaluated. Ethical and political considerations are also considered.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, or the equivalent; knowledge of cell, molecular, or developmental biology is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-130
Virology: Life Cycle and Host Interactions
Catherine Jacob-Dolan PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Departments of Basic Science and Vaccine and Infectious Disease, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17122 | Section 1
Description
This course explores molecular mechanisms employed by viruses to invade and highjack the host’s cellular machinery. It provides a foray into virology, advanced cell biology, biochemistry, and structural biology topics to study the molecular interactions between viral and host factors. Through the lens of an a well-studied example virus (HIV-1 or SARS-CoV-2), students learn the concepts of viral infection, replication, and immune evasion. This course also teaches students to critically read primary literature covering each step of the viral life cycle and many different viruses. In careful reading of research articles and in-class discussions, students learn critical experimental design strategies and current methodologies. Students are given multiple opportunities to hone their analysis of primary literature through short writing assignments throughout the semester and a final presentation of a paper of their choice at the end of the semester.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
BIOS E-14
Principles of Genetics
Frederick R. Bieber PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Chu Kwen Ho PhD, Instructional Consultant, STEM Education and Teacher Development, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26516 | Section 1
Description
This is a general course in genetics providing a broad view of gene action from the molecular to the population levels, with emphasis on eukaryotes. Topics include bacterial and viral genetics, Mendelian genetics, mutation and DNA repair, forensic DNA technology, chromosome structure and function, genomics, and population and evolutionary genetics. The course also covers legal, ethical, and policy considerations for use of genetic technology.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, or the equivalent; CHEM E-1a and CHEM E-1b (offered previously) or CHEM E-1ax and CHEM E-1bx, or the equivalent; and MATH E-8.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections for graduate-credit students Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
BIOS E-150
The Biology of Cancer
Ryan Si-Wai Lee PhD, Director of Science Instruction and the Premedical Program, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17135 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to cancer. Lectures primarily focus on the role of growth factors, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, angiogenesis, and signal transduction mechanisms in tumor formation. The fundamental principles behind cancer diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic management are also discussed.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-16, or the equivalent; BIOS E-12 recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOS E-155
Medical Microbiology
Nikolaus Jilg MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Sarah Osmulski MD, Resident Physician, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Matthew Schaefers PhD, Assistant Professor of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School and and Research Associate, Boston Children’s Hospital
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24224 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the microbial species that cause human disease. We cover bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, and discuss current topics including antibiotic resistance, public health threats, and the microbiome. There is no laboratory component to this course.
Prerequisites: Basic molecular and cellular biology, such as BIOS E-1a (offered previously), BIOS E-1ax, or equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
BIOS E-16
Cell Biology
Jared Johnson PhD, Instructor in Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16988 | Section 1
Description
This course is an in-depth exploration of the basic units of life: cells. Students learn about the highly choreographed events that guide cellular processes. Special attention is given to human health and diseases, aging, stem cell biology, applications of artificial intelligence, and the experimental breakthroughs that changed how we view human life at its most basic level.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously), BIOS E-1ax, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 49 students
BIOS E-162b
Human Pathophysiology II
Nancy Long Sieber PhD, Adjunct Lecturer on Physiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17130 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the pathophysiology of the human nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Common mechanisms of pathogenesis are examined, including injury, autoimmunity, and neoplasia. These systems are linked by our focused examination of several conditions as they affect the body as a whole. We focus on pain, stress, and spinal cord injuries, as well as the consequences of obesity. Please note that Human Pathophysiology I, offered in alternate years, is not a prerequisite for this course.
Prerequisites: A normal human or animal physiology course is recommended, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-18
Evolution
Maria Miara PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, Brandeis University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14330 | Section 1
Description
Evolution is such a major tenet of modern biological theory that in 1973, evolutionary biologist Theodosius Dobzhansky penned that “nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” This course provides a comprehensive introduction to evolutionary biology. Students are introduced to both short-term and long-term evolutionary processes and they explore the patterns that result from those processes. Topics covered include the history of evolutionary theory, evidence for evolution, the origin of life, the origin of animals and the Cambrian explosion, genetic evolution, natural selection, sexual selection, species and speciation, human evolution, and evolutionary issues in modern society.
Prerequisites: An introductory organismal biology course such as BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1bx.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOS E-19
Introductory Chemical Biology
David Miyamoto PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17138 | Section 1
Description
This chemical biology survey course explores the intersection between chemistry and biology and focuses on the use of chemical tools to manipulate and study biological systems. The course is comprised of three units focused on proteins, nucleic acids, and drug discovery. Topics include physical properties of amino acids and proteins, protein synthesis, post-translational modifications, physical properties of nucleic acids, engineering functional RNAs, genomics, epigenetics, directed evolution, genome engineering, small molecule libraries and screening, and macromolecular drugs.
Prerequisites: Basic organic chemistry and biology knowledge, such as the CHEM E-17x and BIOS E-1ax series, is required. Familiarity with basic biochemistry and molecular biology, for example BIOS E-10 or BIOS E-12, is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, September 9-December 16, 8:00pm-10:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOS E-1ax
Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (Lecture)
Martin Samuels PhD, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Brandeis University
Michael Borrett PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17004 | Section 1
Description
This course is the first half of a year-long introductory series focused on the principles of cellular biology (BIOS E-1ax) and organismic biology (BIOS E-1bx). Topics include molecular biology, energy, metabolism, and genetics. The series complies with the current medical school requirements for one year of introductory biology. This course does not include a lab; students who need a biology lab should enroll concurrently in BIOS E-1axl.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Science Center D
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1AX, and in BIOS E-1AXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
BIOS E-1ax
Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (Lecture)
Martin Samuels PhD, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Brandeis University
Michael Borrett PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17005 | Section 2
Description
This course is the first half of a year-long introductory series focused on the principles of cellular biology (BIOS E-1ax) and organismic biology (BIOS E-1bx). Topics include molecular biology, energy, metabolism, and genetics. The series complies with the current medical school requirements for one year of introductory biology. This course does not include a lab; students who need a biology lab should enroll concurrently in BIOS E-1axl.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1AX, and in BIOS E-1AXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
BIOS E-1axl
Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (Lab)
Martin Samuels PhD, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Brandeis University
Michael Borrett PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17007 | Section 1
Description
The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from BIOS E-1ax in an actual laboratory situation.
Prerequisites: This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in BIOS E-1ax or who have previously completed a comparable introductory course in cell and molecular biology. Prospective students who do not plan to concurrently enroll in BIOS E-1ax should contact the course instructor to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Labs meet roughly every other week Mondays, 6-9 pm. Other times may be available pending enrollment and student interest. See course syllabus for details.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1AXL, and in BIOS E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
BIOS E-1axl
Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (Lab)
Martin Samuels PhD, Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Brandeis University
Michael Borrett PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17008 | Section 2
Description
The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from BIOS E-1ax in an actual laboratory situation.
Prerequisites: This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in BIOS E-1ax or who have previously completed a comparable introductory course in cell and molecular biology. Prospective students who do not plan to concurrently enroll in BIOS E-1ax should contact the course instructor to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Labs meet roughly every other week Mondays, 6-9 pm. Other times may be available pending enrollment and student interest. See course syllabus for details.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1AXL, and in BIOS E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
BIOS E-1bx
Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (Lecture)
Casey Roehrig PhD, Manager of Instructional Development, Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University
Lorenzo Gesuita PhD, Research Fellow in Genetics and Genomics, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26631 | Section 1
Description
This course is the second half of a year-long introductory series focused on the principles of cellular biology (BIOS E-1ax) and organismic biology (BIOS E-1bx). This course builds on the foundation established in BIOS E-1ax and introduces students to fundamental principles in anatomy and physiology, evolution, and ecology. The series fulfills current medical school requirements for one year of introductory biology. This course does not include a lab; students who need a biology lab should enroll concurrently in BIOS E-1bxl.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1ax or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Science Center A
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1BX, and in BIOS E-1BXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOS E-1bx
Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (Lecture)
Casey Roehrig PhD, Manager of Instructional Development, Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University
Lorenzo Gesuita PhD, Research Fellow in Genetics and Genomics, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26632 | Section 2
Description
This course is the second half of a year-long introductory series focused on the principles of cellular biology (BIOS E-1ax) and organismic biology (BIOS E-1bx). This course builds on the foundation established in BIOS E-1ax and introduces students to fundamental principles in anatomy and physiology, evolution, and ecology. The series fulfills current medical school requirements for one year of introductory biology. This course does not include a lab; students who need a biology lab should enroll concurrently in BIOS E-1bxl.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1ax or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1BX, and in BIOS E-1BXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
BIOS E-1bxl
Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (Lab)
Casey Roehrig PhD, Manager of Instructional Development, Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University
Lorenzo Gesuita PhD, Research Fellow in Genetics and Genomics, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26633 | Section 1
Description
The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from BIOS E-1bx in an actual laboratory situation.
Prerequisites: This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in BIOS E-1bx or who have previously completed a comparable introductory course in organismic and evolutionary biology. Prospective students who do not plan to concurrently enroll in BIOS E-1bx should contact the course instructor to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Labs meet roughly every other week Mondays, 6-9 pm. Other times may be available pending enrollment and student interest. See course syllabus for details.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1BXL, and in BIOS E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
BIOS E-1bxl
Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (Lab)
Casey Roehrig PhD, Manager of Instructional Development, Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University
Lorenzo Gesuita PhD, Research Fellow in Genetics and Genomics, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26634 | Section 2
Description
The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from BIOS E-1bx in an actual laboratory situation.
Prerequisites: This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in BIOS E-1bx or who have previously completed a comparable introductory course in organismic and evolutionary biology. Prospective students who do not plan to concurrently enroll in BIOS E-1bx should contact the course instructor to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Labs meet roughly every other week Mondays, 6-9 pm. Other times may be available pending enrollment and student interest. See course syllabus for details.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of BIOS E-1BXL, and in BIOS E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
BIOS E-200
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Biology
Emilie J. Raymer PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17137 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar is designed to teach students many of the writing and analytical skills that are required to succeed in graduate-level courses in the biological sciences. Through critical reading and presentation of research articles, students learn how to form questions that can be addressed experimentally and how to write a corresponding, testable hypothesis. The course also addresses the process of experimental design and current experimental methodologies in biology. Students are given multiple opportunities to hone their writing skills on several short writing assignments. Students are expected to participate in class discussions, present a paper to the class, and write a final research proposal due at the end of the semester. We focus our attention on innovations in genetics and genomics. Some background in these areas is beneficial but not required. Students learn to think scientifically while they gain knowledge of how recent advancements can be applied to agriculture, vaccine developments, personalized medicine, and other areas. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. In addition, at the first class meeting students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments. Molecular biology (BIOS E-12 or the equivalent) and EXPO E-42c are highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 22 students
BIOS E-200
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Biology
Emilie J. Raymer PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26777 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar is designed to teach students many of the writing and analytical skills that are required to succeed in graduate-level courses in the biological sciences. Through critical reading and presentation of research articles, students learn how to form questions that can be addressed experimentally and how to write a corresponding, testable hypothesis. The course also addresses the process of experimental design and current experimental methodologies in biology. Students are given multiple opportunities to hone their writing skills on several short writing assignments. Students are expected to participate in class discussions, present a paper to the class, and write a final research proposal due at the end of the semester. We focus our attention on innovations in genetics and genomics. Some background in these areas is beneficial but not required. Students learn to think scientifically while they gain knowledge of how recent advancements can be applied to agriculture, vaccine developments, personalized medicine, and other areas. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. In addition, at the first class meeting students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments. Molecular biology (BIOS E-12 or the equivalent) and EXPO E-42c are highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
BIOS E-200
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Biology
Navid Ghaffari MD, Lecturer on Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26948 | Section 2
Description
This proseminar is designed to teach students many of the writing and analytical skills that are required to succeed in graduate-level courses in the biological sciences. Through critical reading and presentation of research articles, students learn how to form questions that can be addressed experimentally and how to write a corresponding, testable hypothesis. The course also addresses the process of experimental design and current experimental methodologies in biology. Students are given multiple opportunities to hone their writing skills on several short writing assignments. Students are expected to participate in class discussions, present a paper to the class, and write a final research proposal due at the end of the semester. In this course, we read and discuss scientific publications that primarily focus on neuroscience, with an emphasis on learning and memory with connections to aging, neurodegeneration, and psychiatric conditions. Some background in these areas is beneficial but not required. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. In addition, at the first class meeting students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments. Molecular biology (BIOS E-12 or the equivalent) and EXPO E-42c are highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
BIOS E-201
Strategic Speech Communication for Scientists
Terry Gipson MFA, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26786 | Section 1
Description
This course is a practical exploration of speech communication strategies and tactics for those in the sciences, with a focus on improving oral communication and presentation skills in a variety of scientific settings. Students participate in exercises that include formal and informal scientific conversations as well as informative and persuasive presentations to scientific and nonscientific audiences.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Saturday, March 8, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, March 9, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
BIOS E-203
Classic Papers in Experimental Biology
William J. Anderson PhD, Senior Lecturer on Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16899 | Section 1
Description
What makes a science paper a classic? Does it start or redefine a field? Does it reveal a fundamental understanding of life? Is it the basis for a class of compounds that revolutionize medicine? This course explores some of these transformative papers taken from different fields in biology.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously), BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, or equivalent. BIOS E-200 recommended but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
BIOS E-204
Developmental and Regenerative Biology
William J. Anderson PhD, Senior Lecturer on Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26504 | Section 1
Description
The field of developmental biology provides insights on a most interesting question: how do all of the cells in our bodies arise from a single cell, the fertilized egg? This graduate seminar probes this question through critical analysis of the primary literature. Both classical as well as contemporary papers are scrutinized. We cover topics ranging from fertilization, organogenesis, patterning, regeneration, and aging, with a focus on humans whenever possible.
Prerequisites: One year of introductory biology (BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b [offered previously], BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, or equivalent); developmental biology (BIOS E-55) and/or stem cell biology (BIOS E-129) strongly recommended. Graduate proseminar (BIOS E-200) recommended but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
BIOS E-207
Forensic Pathology
Dana Stearns MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26199 | Section 1
Description
This course explores injury analysis and the determination of trauma etiology and mechanics. Starting with an examination of injury and emergency department tables from the Centers for Disease Control, students move on to case analyses and self and team-run investigations. Topics include, but are not limited to, intentional versus unintentional trauma, ballistic trauma, child abuse, intimate partner violence, motor vehicle accidents, penetrating trauma, and various other methods of intentional trauma.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-65c or BIOS E-65d, or equivalent.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Tosteson Medical Ed Center 128
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets on the Longwood campus.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
BIOS E-237
The Science of Poisons
Steven Raymond Boomhower PhD, Principal Toxicologist, Gradient
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17124 | Section 1
Description
The science of poisons, or toxicology, is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study exploring the intersection of human health and the environment. This course is a survey of the adverse effects of exposure to chemicals, focused on understanding the old adage that the dose makes the poison. We explore topics such as microplastics, forever chemicals, endocrine disruptors, and air pollution. This course is designed for students with interests in sustainability, biology, environmental science, and/or medical science and includes discussions and applications of course material to these disciplines.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1ax or an equivalent introductory biology course is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-245
CRISPR: Gene Editing Applications for Healthcare and Biotechnology
Alain Viel PhD, Senior Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25920 | Section 1
Description
CRISPR is a recent gene-editing technology providing an efficient, effective, and precise solution to genetic engineering with applications in the healthcare, biotechnology, and agriculture industries. CRISPR has a promising potential to transform diseases treatments, contribute to food security, or even aid biofuel production. Using real-world case studies, the course illustrates CRISPR’s potential to cure inherited genetic disorders, to treat infectious diseases such as HIV, and to advance the fight against cancer. When applicable, the impact and possibilities of the outcomes of CRISPR’s applications on the healthcare industry are discussed. The course also discusses the applications of CRISPR in the biotechnology industry and their roles in the development of disease-resistant cultivars, improving food yields, and allowing biofuels to become a viable alternative energy source.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously), BIOS E-1ax, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
BIOS E-280
The Human Brain in the Animal Kingdom
Erin Hecht PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26939 | Section 1
Description
Our brains make us what we are. How did they get that way? How are they different from other animals’ and how are they similar? This course explores the structure and function of the modern human brain and examines the selective pressures that have impacted the evolution of human neuroanatomy and cognition. Frequent comparisons are made with other primate and non-primate species in order to situate an understanding of Homo sapiens within the context of the broader animal kingdom. Additionally, the course delves into the types of methodological approaches used to study these topics and consider the frontiers of new knowledge in this area. The course integrates research and theory from biological anthropology, archaeology, psychology, ethology, and neuroscience. Topics covered include the evolution of large brains in humans and other species; the emergence of specializations for communication, tool use, and culture; social cognition and theory of mind; individual variation and experience-dependent plasticity in the brain; and domestication and self-domestication.
Prerequisites: Some background in basic biology, psychology, and/or neuroscience is helpful, but not strictly required.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Human and Evolutionary Biology 2339. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting January 28 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
BIOS E-282
Dogs: Behavior, Evolution, and Domestication
Erin Hecht PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17113 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students learn about dog behavior as a focus point for helping us to understand the evolution of behavior more generally. We examine behavior evolution across a variety of species including other canids like wolves and foxes; humans and other primates; and more distantly related species like pigs, sheep, crows, and fish. Topics include domestication, empathy, communication, cooperation, lateralization, and an introductory tour of the canine brain. The structure of the course combines in-depth discussion of research and theory articles with actual data analysis of video recordings of dog behavior. Students learn how quantitatively measure dog behavior using video data collected within the Hecht lab in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, generate hypotheses about dog behavior based on the theories and ideas covered in the discussion portion of the course, and test their own hypotheses using their analyzed data for their final projects. They also have the opportunity to collect their own data by performing at-home behavior tests with a dog or dogs of their choice, following experimental paradigms designed for this course. The course also includes guest lectures from canine professionals both in academic research and in the public sector.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Human Evolutionary Biology 123. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
BIOS E-30
Epigenetics, Epitranscriptomics, and Gene Regulation
Amy Tsurumi PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16171 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed as an in-depth exploration of the field of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics, with a focus on gaining understanding of gene regulatory mechanisms that occur without changes in the underlying DNA sequence. We extensively cover molecular mechanisms including DNA and RNA modifications, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNAs, and RNA editing. We use current primary literature to discuss the role of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics in developmental and aging processes, responses to nutrition, environmental exposures and infections, and malignancies such as cancer, neurological disorders, and inflammatory diseases. We also focus on molecular techniques and model organisms commonly used in epigenetics research, with the aim of enhancing scientific literature comprehension and learning how to design experiments to test new hypotheses.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-12 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-40
Introduction to Proteomics
Alain Viel PhD, Senior Lecturer on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13099 | Section 1
Description
The completion of several genome projects, including the Human Genome Project, has further fostered a systems-based approach to biology. The goal is to determine how all the genes in a genome act and how their products interact to produce a functional organism. Proteomics seeks to identify and to characterize all the proteins synthesized in a cell or a tissue. Based on this information, one can then try to understand how individual proteins or protein collectives function within an organism. The first half of the course focuses on current methodology used to analyze and identify proteins. This includes protein electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and protein database analysis. The second half of the course focuses on case studies derived from the current scientific literature. This includes comparisons between healthy and diseased tissues, new approaches to analyze metabolic pathways, and the comprehensive analysis of protein-protein interactions in different cell types.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously), BIOS E-1ax, or the equivalent. BIOS E-12 recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, September 9-December 16, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 306
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-45
Introduction to Genomics
Arezou A. Ghazani PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26515 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an overview of human and comparative genomic studies, genomic architecture, numerical and structural variations, and regulatory mechanisms of the genome. The course topics include current and novel practices in genome interrogations, global copy number variation (CNV) assessment, sequencing, and data analysis. This course cultivates an understanding of functional genomics and genomic malfunction, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and the new field of personal genomics, along with discussions on social and ethical impacts resulting from advances in genomics studies.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, or the equivalent. CHEM E-1a and CHEM E-1b (offered previously) or CHEM E-1ax and CHEM E-1bx, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-50
Neurobiology
Laura Magnotti PhD, Lecturer on Neuroscience, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13097 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system by examining the molecules, cells, and circuits that are involved in directing our behavior. We explore how the nervous system is constructed during development, how it adapts with experience throughout life, how it functions in normal behavior, and how it can be disrupted by injury and disease.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology (BIOS E-1a/BIOS E-1ax, or equivalent) or permission of the instructor. For graduate-credit students, successful completion of BIOS E-200 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Science Center A
Required sections for graduate-credit students to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
BIOS E-50
Neurobiology
Julie Sarmiento Ponce PhD, Associate of the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26657 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the brain at the level of molecules, cells, circuits, and behavior. Topics include brain anatomy and function; sensory and motor systems; how the brain processes thoughts; how the brain regulates emotions; learning, memory, and attention; neurodiversity; and neurological disorders.
Prerequisites: A college-level introductory biology course (such as BIOS E-1ax) or a strong background in biology is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
BIOS E-60
Immunology
David E. Sloane EdM, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23186 | Section 1
Description
What is the immune system and how does it work to protect organisms from danger like infections and cancer? In this comprehensive course, we answer these questions by exploring the structure and function of the immune system, focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Students develop a solid understanding of innate versus adaptive immunity; antigens and antibodies; B cells, T cells, and their receptors; major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins; cytokines and chemokines; processes of lymphocyte development and antigen presentation; and the genetics of the immune system. Case studies describe clinical aspects of human immune system function in health and disease including infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic), cancers, autoimmune diseases, allergic and other hypersensitivity diseases, immunodeficiencies, transplantations, vaccinations, and medications and other therapeutic agents (including biologics and CAR-T cells) that affect and harness the immune system. Along the way, we touch on broader themes such as the relationship between the immune system and the nervous system, the dynamics of complex systems that operate at different planes of resolution (from the molecular and cellular to whole populations of organisms and the interactions of different species in ecosystems including the human microbiome), and some philosophical and interpretive views of immunity such as how it contributes to identity and how it functions in ways analogous to language. Upon completion of the course, students have a sound understanding of the essential elements of the immune system, preparing them to engage further in this rapidly evolving field.
Prerequisites: Background in biology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Sundays, February 2-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-65c
Clinical Anatomy and Physiology I
Britt Stockton Lee MD, PhD, MEDscience Teacher, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13387 | Section 1
Description
This course is an immersive introduction to human anatomy and physiology from a clinical perspective. Students gain a functional understanding of the systems of the body and the structure and function of the tissues that comprise them. Using real-life clinical scenarios, students use their newfound basic science knowledge to assess and diagnose pathologies of the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems in the fall semester course.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 90 students
BIOS E-65d
Clinical Anatomy and Physiology II
Britt Stockton Lee MD, PhD, MEDscience Teacher, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23232 | Section 1
Description
This course is a continuation of BIOS E-65c. Students gain a functional understanding of the systems of the body and the structure and function of the tissues that comprise them. Using real-life clinical scenarios, students use their newfound basic science knowledge to assess and diagnose pathologies of the immune, digestive, renal, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Knowledge of the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems is assumed.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, BIOS E-65c, algebra, and introductory geometry.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 90 students
BIOS E-67
Introduction to Pharmacology
Liza Wick PhD, HMX Pharmacology Curriculum Lead, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17266 | Section 1
Description
It is often thought that studying pharmacology involves memorizing drug names and chemical pathways, but in reality this subject is built upon a few simple concepts. This course aims to cover these fundamental concepts of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology. Learning materials are delivered online through HMX, a digital learning initiative from the faculty of Harvard Medical School. The HMX pharmacology course has been created by a highly skilled interdisciplinary team of Harvard Medical School educators and creative professionals. Using integrated multimedia elements and didactic visuals the HMX course focuses on bringing foundational concepts in pharmacology to life via real-world and clinical applications. Students also participate in a live component where they have the opportunity to dive deeper into these pharmacological concepts and work on problem-solving activities in weekly sessions with their instructor. In addition to receiving course credit, students have the opportunity to earn a certificate from Harvard Medical School. A certificate of achievement or a certificate of completion can be earned by those who attain certain thresholds within the course. Students registered in this course have access to the HMX pharmacology course. They should not enroll separately in the HMX course.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology and biochemistry are strongly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-68
Introduction to Systems Biology
Joe Nasser PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17136 | Section 1
Description
The field of systems biology has emerged as a result of two revolutions. The first is decades of progress in molecular biology and biochemistry which have identified many of the molecules and chemical reactions needed for life. The second is the ‘omics revolution which has enabled these measurements to be conducted at high throughput. Systems biology seeks to convert such observations into a holistic understanding of biological systems. The motivating question for this course is, how does life emerge from a collection of dead molecules? We explore how simple conceptual ideas can explain the seemingly complicated nature of biological systems. We explore how similar design principles appear across various biological systems and scales. For example, the negative feedback motif is present at the cellular scale (in gene regulatory networks), at the organismal scale (in glucose homeostasis), and at the ecological scale (through predator-prey dynamics). We also consider the general nature of input-output responses, the role of energy expenditure, robustness and ultra-sensitivity, bet hedging, and whether biological systems operate optimally. Simple mathematical models are used to explore these topics. We discuss what a model can and cannot do and common pitfalls in modeling. This course is not too mathematically technical; one of its themes is that relatively simple math can go a long way.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of differential equations at the level of MATH E-16. MATH E-21c is recommended, but not required. Basic knowledge of probability is helpful but will be reviewed as needed.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 304
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOS E-70
Introduction to Epidemiology
Jennifer Fonda PhD, Lecturer in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, and Research Health Scientist, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24809 | Section 1
Description
How can you design a study to evaluate the risk factors associated with the recent reversal in life expectancy in the United States? How do you assess the benefits and risks related to the recent cancer screening guidelines? This course introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology and demonstrates the applicability to public health and medicine. The goal of this course is to provide fundamental skills needed to begin to interpret and critically evaluate literature relevant to public health. Topics include measures of disease frequency and association, epidemiologic study designs, sources of bias and error, screening, and applications to public health.
Prerequisites: Basic quantitative skills essential; familiarity with medical terminology helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOS E-72
Infectious Diseases in a World of Changing Climate, Drug Resistance, and Vaccine Hesitancy
Narges Dorratoltaj PhD, Director, Life and Health Modeling, Verisk
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26773 | Section 1
Description
Despite the availability of control measures, infectious diseases are emerging and re-emerging. These outbreaks emphasize the importance of understanding the epidemiology of infectious diseases through qualitative and quantitative methods. This course introduces the basics of infectious disease epidemiology and modeling, disease surveillance methods, dynamics of transmission, and assessment of prevention and control measures. The epidemiology of different diseases based on route of transmission (food-borne, water-borne, vector-borne, or air-borne) along with common and recently emerged infectious diseases (COVID-19, influenza, malaria, Ebola, Zika, and antimicrobial resistance pathogens) are discussed. Finally, we explore some modeling techniques to understand the epidemiology and dynamics of infectious disease outbreaks to help public health officials make more informed decisions. We consider the political, demographic, and social changes that have an impact on public health.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax, MATH E-8, and MATH E-15, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
BIOT E-100
Introduction to the Business and Science of Biotechnology
Jaclyn Dunphy PhD, Senior Director of Strategy and Research Operations, Abiologics
Nicolas Labovitis ALM, Chief Executive Officer, Ibex Finance, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17139 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the science, practice, and business of biotechnology. The impact and drawbacks in areas of modern biotechnology such as genetic engineering as well as the ethical implications of innovative biotechnology applications are covered. Throughout the semester, students are introduced to biotechnology as an applied science, policy and regulatory aspects of drug development, academic and small business innovation, technical biotechnology applications, opportunities to cross-train with focus on various career possibilities, and building fundraising and organizational resilience for uncertain funding environments. The goal of this course is to prepare students for the four core areas of study for the biotechnology degree.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-12, or their equivalents.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOT E-100
Introduction to the Business and Science of Biotechnology
Jaclyn Dunphy PhD, Senior Director of Strategy and Research Operations, Abiologics
Nicolas Labovitis ALM, Chief Executive Officer, Ibex Finance, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26779 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the science, practice, and business of biotechnology. The impact and drawbacks in areas of modern biotechnology such as genetic engineering as well as the ethical implications of innovative biotechnology applications are covered. Throughout the semester, students are introduced to biotechnology as an applied science, policy and regulatory aspects of drug development, academic and small business innovation, technical biotechnology applications, opportunities to cross-train with focus on various career possibilities, and building fundraising and organizational resilience for uncertain funding environments. The goal of this course is to prepare students for the four core areas of study for the biotechnology degree.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-12, or their equivalents.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
BIOT E-104
Introductory Bioinformatics
Soohyun Lee PhD, Senior Bioinformatics Scientist, Exact Sciences
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16716 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to cover an introductory level overview of bioinformatics. It covers commonly used bioinformatics tools and algorithms as well as standard formats, with the focus on DNA/RNA sequence and sequencing data analysis. The topics include sequence alignment, motif detection, conservation analysis, Markov models, short-read sequencing data alignment, variant detection and visualization, peak calling, clustering methods, standard formats, random access tools, and performance analysis. Web-based tools and databases are also covered. Pipeline development frameworks and cloud-based approaches are discussed briefly. This course does not include artificial intelligence or machine learning techniques or theoretical analysis of algorithms. Programming is not the focus of the course, but students are welcome to apply their programming skills to the course material.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of molecular biology (DNA, RNA, and protein) required. Knowledge in genomics and epigenetics a plus but not required. Statistics and programming skills a plus but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
BIOT E-105
Bioinformatics: Fundamentals of Sequence Analysis
Michael Agostino PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24434 | Section 1
Description
With breakthroughs in biotechnology such as high-throughput and inexpensive DNA sequencing, we are collecting vast amounts of data that will be analyzed for years to come. The details of this data reveal basic information such as gene and protein structures and may lead us to major discoveries like gene-disease associations. This course teaches the bioinformatics skills used in academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical laboratories for analyzing individual DNA and protein sequences. This is not a programming course. Classes consist of lecture and extensive hands-on work using mainstream web-based bioinformatics tools. Students learn how to evaluate data sources and choose the correct paths to solutions. Throughout the semester, interesting biological questions are addressed by analyzing sequences, searching databases, using sophisticated software, and interpreting results. Upon completion of the course, students have extensive skills with sequence analysis tools and are prepared for their own laboratory projects or bioinformatics software creation.
Prerequisites: Fundamental knowledge of molecular biology (DNA, RNA, protein) and genomics required. More advanced knowledge a definite plus. No programming skills required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
BIOT E-120
Ethics and Trends in Biotechnology
Timothy Furlan PhD, Burnett Family Distinguished Chair in Ethics, University of St. Thomas, Director, Center for Ethical Leadership, and Senior Editor, Pediatric Ethicscope
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15456 | Section 1
Description
Biotechnology offers exciting and promising prospects for healing the sick and relieving suffering. But exactly because of their impressive powers to alter the workings of body and mind, the dual uses of the same technologies also make them attractive to people who are not sick, but who would use them to look younger, perform better, or feel happier. These applications of biotechnology are already presenting us with some unfamiliar and very difficult challenges. In this course, we consider such possible beyond therapy uses and explore both their scientific basis and the ethical and social issues they are likely to raise. We consider how pursuing the goals of better children, superior performance, ageless bodies, or happy souls might be aided or hindered, elevated or degraded, by seeking them through a wide variety of technological means. Among the biotechnological techniques considered are techniques for screening genes and testing embryos, choosing sex of children, modifying the behavior of children, augmenting muscle size and strength, enhancing athletic performance, slowing senescence, blunting painful memories, brightening mood, and altering basic temperaments. Toward the end of the course, we begin to ask what kinds of human beings and what sort of society we might be creating in the coming age of biotechnology.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-1a and BIOS E-1b (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax and BIOS E-1bx, BIOS E-12, or the equivalents.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
BIOT E-125
Financial Analysis and Valuation in Biotechnology
Yong Suh MD, Lecturer, Center for Biotechnology Education, Johns Hopkins University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26788 | Section 1
Description
Success in biotechnology requires sound understanding of both science and business. Developing new therapeutic and diagnostic modalities demands vast amounts of funding raised through multiple rounds of financing to support activities such as research and development, manufacturing, and marketing. Thus, it is essential for leaders of biotechnology companies to understand the workings of capital markets, valuation of drug pipelines, and strategic considerations in partnerships and mergers and acquisitions. This introductory course aims to provide an overview of financial concepts that are necessary to understand revenue and expense forecasts, discounted cash flow, and real options, which are core components of biotechnology valuation. Valuation draws upon knowledge gained in other domains such as epidemiology, drug development and regulatory affairs, and manufacturing and quality control, and provides an opportunity for students to consolidate their knowledge base in biotechnology while learning to quantify and value the building blocks of a biotechnology enterprise.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed BIOT E-100. Though not required, it would be helpful for students to have undertaken prior coursework in finance or economics and to be familiar with concepts such as time value of money, revenue, cost, interest rate, compounding, and financial statements. Students should be comfortable using Microsoft Excel to perform arithmetic operations and have a basic understanding of financial modeling.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
BIOT E-132
Tissue Engineering for Clinical Applications
Sujata K. Bhatia PhD, MD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26847 | Section 1
Description
Tissue engineering is now recognized as a way to lessen the global disease burden: novel methods for pancreatic islet regeneration can address diabetes; autologous cells for heart muscle regeneration can address coronary artery disease; and nerve regeneration technologies can be used to treat stroke. This course describes strategies of tissue engineering and focuses on the diseases tissue engineering can address. Each lecture identifies a specific disease (coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes) and describes tissue-engineered scaffolds that can alleviate the disease. Students learn the underlying pathology of the disease, understand the latest advances in tissue engineering for treating the disease, and discuss prospective research areas for novel biomaterials to modify the disease process. In addition, students gain an appreciation of clinical trials of tissue-engineered scaffolds, as well as commercialization of tissue engineering. Students may not take both BIOT E-132 and ENSC E-132 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology and chemistry.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
BIOT E-140
RNA Biology and Therapeutics
Casey Roehrig PhD, Manager of Instructional Development, Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16997 | Section 1
Description
RNA molecules can store and transfer genetic information, as well as regulate cellular processes through enzymatic activity and their interaction with other biomolecules. In the past decade, advances in next-generation sequencing have revealed new classes of RNAs and the multiple layers of information and functions they carry. The newly discovered functions of different classes of RNA molecules and their roles in human development and disease have led to the emergence of RNA therapeutics. This course explores the intersection of modern basic and translational research on RNA biology along with the biotechnology industry’s drug development efforts around RNA therapeutics. The course offers a unique opportunity for students, researchers, and biotechnology innovators to expand their knowledge about the growing science of RNA therapeutics and to develop a deep understanding of RNA-focused drug development in the biotech industry. This course opens with an introduction to the RNA world, including evolutionary theories about biomolecules, fundamental concepts related to the structure and functions of RNAs, current classifications of RNA molecules, and modern tools and techniques for studying RNAs. The course then covers current classes of RNA molecules and their roles in normal biology and in disease. This course focuses on a number of classes of RNA therapeutics including drugs that target normal or abnormal RNA transcripts and drugs and vaccines composed of RNAs.
Prerequisites: BIOS E-12.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
BIOT E-200
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Biotechnology
Margaret A. Lynch PhD, Director of Undergraduate-Faculty Research Partnerships, Brandeis University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13645 | Section 1
Description
In this proseminar, we focus on science writing, data interpretation, and collaborative and independent experimental design. Students who successfully complete the course are those who demonstrate an ability to assess information from the primary scientific literature, a command of oral and written communication skills, and the ability to generate a logical progression of experiments to help validate or nullify their hypothesis. Reading materials include publications on scientific writing, experimental design, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the capstone. This is the required admission course for the ALM in biotechnology. Students interested in the ALM in biology should enroll in BIOS E-200.
Prerequisites: Students without a background in life sciences should successfully complete BIOS E-1a (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax, and BIOS E-12 or their equivalents before attempting to take BIOT E-200. EXPO E-42c is strongly recommended. Students must earn a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
BIOT E-200
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Biotechnology
Elizabeth Wiltrout Leary PhD, Senior Program Manager, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts Medical Center
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23457 | Section 1
Description
In this proseminar, we focus on science writing, data interpretation, and collaborative and independent experimental design. Students who successfully complete the course are those who demonstrate an ability to assess information from the primary scientific literature, a command of oral and written communication skills, and the ability to generate a logical progression of experiments to help validate or nullify their hypothesis. Reading materials include publications on scientific writing, experimental design, and peer-reviewed journal articles. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the capstone. This is the required admission course for the ALM in biotechnology. Students interested in the ALM in biology should enroll in BIOS E-200.
Prerequisites: Students without a background in life sciences should successfully complete BIOS E-1a (offered previously) or BIOS E-1ax, and BIOS E-12 or their equivalents before attempting to take BIOT E-200. EXPO E-42c is strongly recommended. Students must earn a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
BIOT E-209
Commercial Functions in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies
Alex Pederson JD, Director of Regional Marketing, BeiGene
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17119 | Section 1
Description
Innovative science and revolutionary therapeutics are the foundation of a successful biotechnology or pharmaceutical company, but once the registrational trials are complete, the commercial function must support any therapy for it to reach the right patients. This course explores marketing, market analytics, and sales for a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company and shares insight into how companies succeed once research and development and the core clinical trials are done. This course pulls back the curtain for students who are currently or are interested in working in one of those commercial functions; for students who work in partner functions who need an understanding of commercial functions to operate at their best (for example, medical affairs and clinical development); and other industry players who use commercial assumptions or insight regularly (for example, venture capital, private equity, or public investors and early-stage entrepreneurs). Topics covered for marketing include strategy, promotions, and key customer/key opinion leader (KOL) engagement. For marketing analytics, we examine market planning, long- and short-term forecasting, competitive intelligence, and marketing science. We explore sales overview and purpose, sales interaction with internal partners, and sales structure, direction, and incentives.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
BIOT E-220
Regulatory Aspects of Drug Development
Jonathon Parker PhD, Vice President, Head of Regulatory Neurology, Ultragenyx
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25749 | Section 1
Description
The course provides an overview of the prescription drug development process and regulatory considerations for this process, including small molecules, biologics, and gene therapy. It focuses on the phases of pharmaceutical development, aspects influencing the pharmaceutical industry, and the regulatory themes and healthcare concepts that shape the decisions having an impact on the entire process.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 34 students
BIOT E-225
Biomedical Product Development
Sujata K. Bhatia PhD, MD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15756 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the design and development of new therapeutic products. Students learn through case-based studies of product development for pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, and combination therapies. The course describes the steps of biomedical product development, from conceptualization, to design, to manufacturing, to regulatory approval and commercialization. The course discusses both technical and business factors that contribute to the success or failure of new biomedical products. Appropriate design of preclinical and clinical trials is also included. Students gain an appreciation for emerging technologies in stem cells, gene therapy, tissue regeneration, personalized medicine, and targeted therapies. Additionally, students learn about the special challenges presented by emerging biomedical technologies. By the end of the course, each student completes a project to propose a new biomedical device and identify the regulatory strategy, technical milestones, and business milestones for the new device.
Prerequisites: Background in introductory biology and chemistry.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
BIOT E-227
Immunoassay Design and Development
Masha Fridkis-Hareli PhD, President, ATR, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26756 | Section 1
Description
This introductory course explores assays commonly used in drug discovery and development. Immunoassays are key in characterization of drug candidates for efficacy and safety prior to market authorization. The overall goal of the course is to provide students with knowledge of different types of immunoassays including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), flow cytometry, and cell-based assays. Topics include design and optimization process, reagent selection, assay validation, and implementation for various applications in drug profiling.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
BIOT E-260
The Genetown-Harvard Experience
Nicolas Labovitis ALM, Chief Executive Officer, Ibex Finance, LLC
Steven Denkin PhD, Director and Research Advisor, Biotechnology, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26776 | Section 1
Description
Come to Harvard University for a one-week experience where students engage with industry leaders during visits to local incubators, accelerators, and companies, as well as academic research departments and institutions. The course focuses on the following questions: how did Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA, evolve from a salt marsh to become the epicenter of the biotechnology world? Why is Genetown a thriving hotbed for innovation and drug development? And where is the next Kendall Square?
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a B or higher grade in BIOT E-100 and BIOT E-200 in order to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
See course description
Monday, Wednesday, January 6-8, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 13-16, 10:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Wednesday, January 22, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Week one: Monday and Wednesday, 5:10-7:10 pm, via live attendance web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Week two: Monday-Thursday, 10 am-5 pm, on campus.
Week three: Wednesday, 5:10-7:10 pm, via live attendance web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Students must be present for the entire on-campus session to earn credit for the course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
BIOT E-597
Precapstone: Business Ideas and Entrepreneurial Innovation
Steven Denkin PhD, Director and Research Advisor, Biotechnology, Harvard Extension School
Nicolas Labovitis ALM, Chief Executive Officer, Ibex Finance, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16815 | Section 1
Description
This precapstone course prepares students to write and present their business plan in the capstone. It is mandatory for candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, biotechnology, who wish to register for BIOT E-599 in the spring. Through idea discovery, market research, and prototype development, students identify an innovative biotechnology product or application. In addition to idea generation and development, students receive guidance and advising to work effectively in teams to develop and propose a viable idea and outline a business plan. During the semester, students meet with industry experts to discuss best practices.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, biotechnology, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, BIOT E-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
BIOT E-599
Capstone: Business Ideas and Entrepreneurial Innovation
Steven Denkin PhD, Director and Research Advisor, Biotechnology, Harvard Extension School
Beth Zielinski-Habershaw PhD, Professional Training Coordinator, MassBioEd Foundation
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25061 | Section 1
Description
This capstone course provides an opportunity for biotechnology professionals to create a business plan for a new biotechnology company, a ground-breaking drug, or an emerging technology such as a diagnostic or medical device. The biotech business plan includes background research on the idea and investigation of the following: market opportunity, market strategy, funding, intellectual property, patents, and management. In addition to the business plan report, each student writes their own executive summary. During the semester, students meet with industry experts to discuss best practices.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, biotechnology, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must have earned a B-minus or higher grade in BIOT E-597 in the prior fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
CELT E-115
The Irish Supernatural
Kate Chadbourne PhD, Affiliate of the Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17118 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the Irish supernatural, with sources ranging from the earliest Irish tales to contemporary memorates about ghosts, fairy thorns, and the banshee. Topics include supernatural people, creatures, and places, as well as the way the Otherworld is imagined and described over time. Special attention is paid to human behavior designed to avert, appease, or appropriate supernatural powers. We read and listen to narratives, songs and tunes, first-hand accounts, proverbs, and place lore, and we explore scholarly ideas about belief and disbelief and about the importance and relevance of the supernatural in Irish culture.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 76 students
CGRK E-1a
Beginning Ancient Greek
Nadav Asraf PhD, Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16868 | Section 1
Description
This course is the first of a four-part sequence intended to introduce the student to the language and world of classical Greece. The main goal of the course is to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to the classical Greek language. Students develop a foundational understanding of morphology and syntax while reading texts inspired by or adapted from authors such as Aristophanes, Demosthenes, Herodotus, and Plato. Grammatical concepts covered include the declension of nouns and adjectives; pronouns (demonstrative, indefinite, and interrogative); the function of the cases; the conjugation of verbs in the present, imperfect, and future indicative; and the present participle. In addition, this course provides an introduction to ancient Greek literature and culture.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 28 students
CGRK E-1b
Beginning Ancient Greek
Nadav Asraf PhD, Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26493 | Section 1
Description
This course is the second of a four-part sequence intended to introduce the student to the language and world of classical Greece. The main goal of the course is to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to the classical Greek language. Students improve their understanding of morphology and syntax while reading texts inspired by or adapted from authors such as Aristophanes, Demosthenes, Herodotus, and Plato. Grammatical concepts covered include the conjugation of verbs in the aorist indicative; the aorist participle; the conjugation of verbs in the present and aorist optative (active and middle voices); the potential optative; comparative and superlative adjectives; relative clauses; particles; indirect statements; and the principal parts of common verbs. In addition, this course provides an introduction to ancient Greek literature and culture.
Prerequisites: CGRK E-1a or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 28 students
CGRK E-2a
Intermediate Classical Greek I
Nadav Asraf PhD, Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16869 | Section 1
Description
This course is the third of a four-part sequence intended to introduce the student to the language and world of classical Greece. The main goal of the course is to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to the classical Greek language. Students improve their understanding of morphology and syntax while reading texts inspired by or adapted from authors such as Aristophanes, Demosthenes, Herodotus, and Plato. Grammatical topics covered include the perfect tense, the conjugation of verbs in the passive voice, the conjugation of athematic verbs, the genitive absolute, indirect statements, conditional clauses, clauses of effort, the subjunctive mood, articular infinitives, and indefinite constructions. In addition, this course provides an introduction to ancient Greek literature and culture.
Prerequisites: CGRK E-1b or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 28 students
CGRK E-2b
Intermediate Classical Greek II
Nadav Asraf PhD, Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26494 | Section 1
Description
This course is the fourth of a four-part sequence intended to introduce the student to the language and world of classical Greece. The main goal of the course is to provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to the classical Greek language. Students improve their understanding of morphology and syntax while reading texts inspired by or adapted from authors such as Aristophanes, Demosthenes, Herodotus, Homer, and Plato. Grammatical topics covered include the conjugation of verbs in the pluperfect and future-perfect indicative (active, middle, and passive voices); the conjugation of athematic verbs; fear clauses; purpose clauses; result clauses; subordinate clauses in secondary sequence; deliberative and hortatory subjunctives; correlatives; and the dialects and syntax of Herodotus and Homer. In addition, this course provides an introduction to ancient Greek literature and culture. At the end of this sequence students are able to read original texts in ancient Greek, either in an academic setting or on their own.
Prerequisites: CGRK E-2a or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 28 students
CGRK E-65
Aeschylus’s Agamemnon
Jeremy Rau PhD, Professor of Linguistics and of the Classics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17134 | Section 1
Description
This course is intended to provide a thorough introduction to Aeschylus’s tragedy Agamemnon for students who have completed at least two semesters of Greek. Topics covered include Aeschylus’s language and meter and the historical and cultural background of Greek tragedy. The course is paced for a gradual increase in reading per week, culminating at roughly 200 lines a week. Over the course of the semester, students become proficient in reading Aeschylus and gain an understanding of the history, historical context, and language and meter of Greek tragedy.
Prerequisites: CGRK E-1a or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
CGRK E-9
Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns
Jeremy Rau PhD, Professor of Linguistics and of the Classics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26772 | Section 1
Description
This course is intended to provide a thorough introduction to the poetry of Hesiod¿s Works and Days and the Homeric Hymns for students who have completed at least two semesters of Greek. Topics covered will include epic language and dialect, meter, formula, compositional technique and the historical and cultural background of Hesiodic and Homeric poetry. The course is paced for a gradual increase in reading per week, culminating at roughly 200 lines a week. Over the course of the semester students will become proficient in reading the Works and Days and The Homeric Hymns and will gain an understanding of the history, historical context, language, and linguistics of Hesiodic and Homeric poetry.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
CHEM E-17l
Principles of Organic Chemistry: Laboratory
David Rose BA, Undergraduate Chemistry Lab Coordinator, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26915 | Section 1
Description
This hands-on experimental laboratory course is intended to complement CHEM E-17. Practical applications of the reactions learned in CHEM E-17, such as those of carbonyls, amines, and aromatic structures, are expanded upon in the laboratory. In addition to performing reactions, students are introduced to purification techniques and spectroscopic analysis. Laboratory procedures include acid-base extraction, distillation, chromatography, and quantitative multi-step synthesis. Students may take either CHEM E-20l or CHEM E-17l and CHEM E-27l for degree or certificate credit, but not both.
Prerequisites: CHEM E-17 or equivalent (prior or concurrent). Prospective students who do not plan to concurrently enroll in CHEM E-17 should contact the course instructor to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met. CHEM E-27 lecture, offered concurrently with CHEM E-17L in Spring 2025, is highly encouraged, but not required.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, Science Center 216
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-17L, and CHEM E-27LAB may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or lab sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
CHEM E-17l
Principles of Organic Chemistry: Laboratory
David Rose BA, Undergraduate Chemistry Lab Coordinator, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26932 | Section 2
Description
This hands-on experimental laboratory course is intended to complement CHEM E-17. Practical applications of the reactions learned in CHEM E-17, such as those of carbonyls, amines, and aromatic structures, are expanded upon in the laboratory. In addition to performing reactions, students are introduced to purification techniques and spectroscopic analysis. Laboratory procedures include acid-base extraction, distillation, chromatography, and quantitative multi-step synthesis. Students may take either CHEM E-20l or CHEM E-17l and CHEM E-27l for degree or certificate credit, but not both.
Prerequisites: CHEM E-17 or equivalent (prior or concurrent). Prospective students who do not plan to concurrently enroll in CHEM E-17 should contact the course instructor to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met. CHEM E-27 lecture, offered concurrently with CHEM E-17L in Spring 2025, is highly encouraged, but not required.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-10:00pm, Science Center 216
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-17L, and CHEM E-27LAB may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or lab sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
CHEM E-17x
Principles of Organic Chemistry
Sirinya Matchacheep PhD, Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Director of Instructional Laboratory Programs, Harvard University
Brandon David Conley MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16992 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to organic chemistry with an emphasis on structure and bonding, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and chemical reactivity. Many of the major classes of organic compounds are covered, including alkenes, alkyl halides, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acid derivatives. Students who succeed in this course are well prepared for more advanced organic chemistry courses as well as the MCAT/DAT/GRE exams. This course does not include a lab.
Prerequisites: One year of general chemistry, such as CHEM E-1ax and CHEM E-1bx, with grades of B-minus or higher.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center D
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-17X, and in CHEM E-17L may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
CHEM E-17x
Principles of Organic Chemistry
Sirinya Matchacheep PhD, Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Director of Instructional Laboratory Programs, Harvard University
Brandon David Conley MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16991 | Section 2
Description
This course is an introduction to organic chemistry with an emphasis on structure and bonding, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and chemical reactivity. Many of the major classes of organic compounds are covered, including alkenes, alkyl halides, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acid derivatives. Students who succeed in this course are well prepared for more advanced organic chemistry courses as well as the MCAT/DAT/GRE exams. This course does not include a lab.
Prerequisites: One year of general chemistry, such as CHEM E-1ax and CHEM E-1bx, with grades of B-minus or higher.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-17X, and in CHEM E-17L may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
CHEM E-1ax
General Chemistry I (Lecture)
Gregg Tucci PhD, Senior Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17039 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the structure and properties of atoms and molecules; chemical reactions and stoichiometry; quantum mechanics of light and particles, including the quantum structure of the periodic table; chemical bonding and photochemistry; coordination chemistry; properties of gases, liquids, and solutions; energy relationships in chemistry; and thermochemistry. See CHEM E-1axl for the lab course.
Prerequisites: Mathematics through high school algebra; considerable fluency in elementary mathematics. Previous study of chemistry is not required but is extremely helpful. Students with no previous background in chemistry should become acquainted with the material beforehand and be prepared to make extra efforts. A review of elementary algebra, particularly word problems, is highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center C
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1AX, and CHEM E-1AXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course(s).
Enrollment limit: Limited to 340 students
CHEM E-1ax
General Chemistry I (Lecture)
Gregg Tucci PhD, Senior Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14578 | Section 2
Description
This course is an introduction to the structure and properties of atoms and molecules; chemical reactions and stoichiometry; quantum mechanics of light and particles, including the quantum structure of the periodic table; chemical bonding and photochemistry; coordination chemistry; properties of gases, liquids, and solutions; energy relationships in chemistry; and thermochemistry. See CHEM E-1axl for the lab course.
Prerequisites: Mathematics through high school algebra; considerable fluency in elementary mathematics. Previous study of chemistry is not required but is extremely helpful. Students with no previous background in chemistry should become acquainted with the material beforehand and be prepared to make extra efforts. A review of elementary algebra, particularly word problems, is highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1AX, and CHEM E-1AXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course(s).
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
CHEM E-1axl
General Chemistry I (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14587 | Section 1
Description
This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in CHEM E-1ax or have previously taken CHEM E-1ax and earned a C-minus or higher grade. The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1ax in an actual laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in one semester of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:30pm-9:45pm, Science Center 210
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1AXL, and in CHEM E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
CHEM E-1axl
General Chemistry I (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17064 | Section 2
Description
This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in CHEM E-1ax or have previously taken CHEM E-1ax and earned a C-minus or higher grade. The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1ax in an actual laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in one semester of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 10:30am-12:45pm, Science Center 210
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1AXL, and in CHEM E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CHEM E-1axl
General Chemistry I (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17065 | Section 3
Description
This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in CHEM E-1ax or have previously taken CHEM E-1ax and earned a C-minus or higher grade. The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1ax in an actual laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in one semester of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 10:30am-12:45pm, Science Center 210
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1AXL, and in CHEM E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
CHEM E-1axl
General Chemistry I (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16859 | Section 4
Description
This laboratory course is only open to students who are concurrently enrolled in CHEM E-1ax or have previously taken CHEM E-1ax and earned a C-minus or higher grade. The course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1ax in an actual laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in one semester of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 10:30am-12:45pm
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1AXL, and in CHEM E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CHEM E-1bx
General Chemistry II (Lecture)
Gregg Tucci PhD, Senior Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26676 | Section 1
Description
This course is a continuation of CHEM E-1ax. Topics include thermodynamics and electrochemistry; rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions; phase transitions, structure, and bonding in solids; acids and bases; buffers and titrations; and environmental chemistry. See CHEM E-1bxl for the lab course.
Prerequisites: CHEM E-1ax with a grade of C or higher, or the equivalent. Students interested in taking CHEM E-1bx without having taken CHEM E-1ax should e-mail the instructors with a detailed syllabus and grade report from their previous general chemistry course.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center C
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1BX, and in CHEM E-1BXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions online, they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 340 students
CHEM E-1bx
General Chemistry II (Lecture)
Gregg Tucci PhD, Senior Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24285 | Section 2
Description
This course is a continuation of CHEM E-1ax. Topics include thermodynamics and electrochemistry; rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions; phase transitions, structure, and bonding in solids; acids and bases; buffers and titrations; and environmental chemistry. See CHEM E-1bxl for the lab course.
Prerequisites: CHEM E-1ax with a grade of C or higher, or the equivalent. Students interested in taking CHEM E-1bx without having taken CHEM E-1ax should e-mail the instructors with a detailed syllabus and grade report from their previous general chemistry course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1BX, and in CHEM E-1BXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions online, they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
CHEM E-1bxl
General Chemistry II (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24307 | Section 1
Description
This laboratory course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1bx in a laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in two semesters of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:30pm-9:45pm, Science Center 114
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1BXL, and CHEM E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
CHEM E-1bxl
General Chemistry II (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26701 | Section 2
Description
This laboratory course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1bx in a laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in two semesters of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 10:30am-12:45pm, Science Center 114
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1BXL, and CHEM E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 16 students
CHEM E-1bxl
General Chemistry II (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26702 | Section 3
Description
This laboratory course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1bx in a laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in two semesters of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 10:30am-12:45pm, Science Center 114
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1BXL, and CHEM E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
CHEM E-1bxl
General Chemistry II (Lab)
Justin McCarty MM, Head Teaching Fellow in General Chemistry, Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26483 | Section 4
Description
This laboratory course allows students to gain familiarity with laboratory techniques and apparatus, and to apply their knowledge of concepts from CHEM E-1bx in a laboratory situation. Prior to each lab, students read the lab experiment and complete a pre-laboratory report.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in two semesters of college-level general chemistry.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 10:30am-12:45pm
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of CHEM E-1BXL, and CHEM E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions they will do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CHEM E-20l
Qualitative Organic Chemistry: Virtual Laboratory
Brandon David Conley MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17276 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts underlying the behavior of organic compounds, as well as common laboratory techniques undertaken to explore them. Emphasis is placed on physical properties (melting/boiling points, solubility, and polarity), chemical properties (acidity and basicity, and reactions of specific functional groups), and spectroscopy. When appropriate, students also explore crossover concepts between chemistry and biology. Students also complete a capstone project, in which they are able to harness their accumulated knowledge and deduction skills to virtually separate and identify a mixture of unknown organic compounds. Students may take either CHEM E-20l or CHEM E-17l and CHEM E-27l for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: This is an introductory-level undergraduate course requiring knowledge of general chemistry topics. As such, completion of CHEM E-1ax and E-1bx (or equivalent) with a grade of B-minus or higher is required. Concurrent enrollment in, or prior completion of, CHEM E-17x or other introductory organic chemistry course is strongly recommended. Course schedule is closely aligned with that of CHEM E-17x to facilitate concurrent enrollment.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CHEM E-27x
Organic Chemistry of Life
Sirinya Matchacheep PhD, Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Director of Instructional Laboratory Programs, Harvard University
Brandon David Conley MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26627 | Section 1
Description
This course is a second-semester organic chemistry course focusing on organic chemistry reactivity processes in living systems. Emphasis is placed on reaction mechanisms of enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, cofactors, natural products, and the organic chemistry and metabolism of drugs and drug-like molecules. This course does not include a lab.
Prerequisites: CHEM E-17 or equivalent preparation in organic chemistry. Basic knowledge of biology can be helpful.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Science Center D
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course and other sections of CHEM E-27X may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
CHEM E-27x
Organic Chemistry of Life
Sirinya Matchacheep PhD, Lecturer on Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Director of Instructional Laboratory Programs, Harvard University
Brandon David Conley MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26626 | Section 2
Description
This course is a second-semester organic chemistry course focusing on organic chemistry reactivity processes in living systems. Emphasis is placed on reaction mechanisms of enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, cofactors, natural products, and the organic chemistry and metabolism of drugs and drug-like molecules. This course does not include a lab.
Prerequisites: CHEM E-17 or equivalent preparation in organic chemistry. Basic knowledge of biology can be helpful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course and other sections of CHEM E-27X may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
CHIN E-1
Elementary Chinese I
Bin Yang MA, Preceptor in Chinese, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17282 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to basic Chinese grammar, vocabulary, usage, and the writing system for students with little or no background in the language. The course seeks to help students acquire the rudimentary knowledge of Chinese and develop basic skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the language. By the end of the course, students are expected to have a good command of the pronunciation system and basic grammar, to be able to conduct daily conversation in simple Chinese, and to read and write short passages. Through learning the language, students gain an initial understanding of some Chinese social and cultural phenomena.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, Fridays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CHIN E-2
Elementary Chinese II
Bin Yang MA, Preceptor in Chinese, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26922 | Section 1
Description
This is a continuation of the CHIN E-1. The course further develops students’ communicative skills in the listening and speaking modalities, and at the same time shifts the focus of instruction gradually toward reading and writing. It provides more practice on syntactic structures, usage and their communicative functions, and prepares students for intermediate-level courses.
Prerequisites: CHIN E-1 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, Fridays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CLAS E-116
The Ancient Greek Hero
Gregory Nagy PhD, Francis Jones Professor of Classical Greek Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Keith DeStone PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24099 | Section 1
Description
What does it mean to be human? This course takes a close look at the human condition as viewed through the lens of classical Greek civilization; the basic organizing principle is an objective study of a model of humanity, the hero. Students learn that there are different definitions of the hero in different historical times and places. In the end, though, the one true hero of this course is the logos or word of logical reasoning, as activated by Socratic dialogue. The logos of dialogue in this course requires careful thinking, realized in close reading and reflective writing. The last word about this logos comes from Plato’s memories of words spoken in dialogue by Socrates during the last days of his life, which is read towards the very end of the course. Such a last word, shaped by a deep understanding of the idea of the hero in all its varieties throughout the history of Greek civilization, becomes the latest word for students who earnestly engage in dialogue, by way of writing as well as reading, with heroic expressions of the human condition. This course is driven by a sequence of dialogues that lead to such an engagement, guiding the attentive reader through many of the major works of the ancient Greek classics. In this course, all readings (which are freely available via the course website) are translated into contemporary English and supplemented by selections from the ancient visual arts.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the HarvardX course The Ancient Greek Hero.
CREA E-100r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Short Story
Lindsay Mitchell MFA, Senior Editor, Harvard Magazine
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17142 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive workshop in the craft of writing short fiction for students who have read widely among past and contemporary masters of short fiction and who are accomplished in the elements of prose composition (mechanics, syntax, and structure). Students are expected to produce two new short stories (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: A beginning or intermediate fiction writing course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring a 10-page sample of their work to the first class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-100r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Short Story
Elizabeth Ames MFA, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24317 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive workshop in the craft of writing short fiction for students who have read widely among past and contemporary masters of short fiction and who are accomplished in the elements of prose composition (mechanics, syntax, and structure). Students are expected to produce two new short stories (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: A beginning or intermediate fiction writing course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring a 10-page sample of their work to the first class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-100r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Short Story
Lindsay Mitchell MFA, Senior Editor, Harvard Magazine
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26780 | Section 2
Description
This is an intensive workshop in the craft of writing short fiction for students who have read widely among past and contemporary masters of short fiction and who are accomplished in the elements of prose composition (mechanics, syntax, and structure). Students are expected to produce two new short stories (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: A beginning or intermediate fiction writing course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring a 10-page sample of their work to the first class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-100r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Short Story
Lindsay Mitchell MFA, Senior Editor, Harvard Magazine
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26944 | Section 3
Description
This is an intensive workshop in the craft of writing short fiction for students who have read widely among past and contemporary masters of short fiction and who are accomplished in the elements of prose composition (mechanics, syntax, and structure). Students are expected to produce two new short stories (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: A beginning or intermediate fiction writing course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring a 10-page sample of their work to the first class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-101r
Writing a Nonfiction Book
Christina Thompson PhD, Editor, Harvard Review, Harvard College Library
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16305 | Section 1
Description
This is a course for people who are embarked on a book-length work of nonfiction: biographers, memoirists, historians, journalists, science writers, and others who are writing for a non-specialist audience. Students should have a clearly formulated book idea or, ideally, be already working on a project. In the course we talk about voice, structure, audience, and how to pitch projects to agents and publishers. We also read samples from a wide variety of nonfiction books.
Prerequisites: At least one creative writing class; preferably beginning or advanced narrative (or creative) nonfiction.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-101r
Writing a Nonfiction Book
Christina Thompson PhD, Editor, Harvard Review, Harvard College Library
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25084 | Section 1
Description
This is a course for people who are embarked on a book-length work of nonfiction: biographers, memoirists, historians, journalists, science writers, and others who are writing for a non-specialist audience. Students should have a clearly formulated book idea or, ideally, be already working on a project. In the course we talk about voice, structure, audience, and how to pitch projects to agents and publishers. We also read samples from a wide variety of nonfiction books.
Prerequisites: At least one creative writing class; preferably beginning or advanced narrative (or creative) nonfiction.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-105r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Novel
Elizabeth Ames MFA, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17127 | Section 1
Description
This is an advanced fiction-writing course. Class meetings run mainly as workshops: students respond to one another’s novel excerpts. We also discuss process, as well as elements of fiction that relate to the novel. Students are expected to produce two new chapters (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed other fiction-writing courses and begun writing a novel when the semester begins.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-105r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Novel
Elisabeth Sharp McKetta PhD, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16475 | Section 2
Description
This is an advanced fiction-writing course. Class meetings run mainly as workshops: students respond to one another’s novel excerpts. We also discuss process, as well as elements of fiction that relate to the novel. Students are expected to produce two new chapters (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed other fiction-writing courses and begun writing a novel when the semester begins.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, October 28-December 21, 9:00am-11:15am
Term Start Date: October 28, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-105r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Novel
Thomas Wisniewski PhD, Associate of the Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26771 | Section 1
Description
This is an advanced fiction-writing course. Class meetings run mainly as workshops: students respond to one another’s novel excerpts. We also discuss process, as well as elements of fiction that relate to the novel. Students are expected to produce two new chapters (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed other fiction-writing courses and begun writing a novel when the semester begins.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-105r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Novel
William Holinger MA, Director, Secondary School Program, Harvard Summer School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26761 | Section 2
Description
This is an advanced fiction-writing course. Class meetings run mainly as workshops: students respond to one another’s novel excerpts. We also discuss process, as well as elements of fiction that relate to the novel. Students are expected to produce two new chapters (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed other fiction-writing courses and begun writing a novel when the semester begins.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-105r
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Novel
Chris Mooney MA, Author
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26949 | Section 3
Description
This is an advanced fiction-writing course. Class meetings run mainly as workshops: students respond to one another’s novel excerpts. We also discuss process, as well as elements of fiction that relate to the novel. Students are expected to produce two new chapters (10 to 20 pages each) and to revise them during the term.
Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed other fiction-writing courses and begun writing a novel when the semester begins.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-114
Advanced Fiction: Writing Suspense Fiction
Chris Mooney MA, Author
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16783 | Section 1
Description
Learn how techniques used in suspense fiction structure, pace, tension, and plot can be applied to your own writing. In addition to studying the bestselling works of both commercial and literary writers of suspense, students complete weekly writing assignments and participate in writing workshops.
Prerequisites: An introductory and/or intermediate fiction course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring to class either a work in progress or an idea for a novel or short story.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-114
Advanced Fiction: Writing Suspense Fiction
Chris Mooney MA, Author
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26367 | Section 1
Description
Learn how techniques used in suspense fiction structure, pace, tension, and plot can be applied to your own writing. In addition to studying the bestselling works of both commercial and literary writers of suspense, students complete weekly writing assignments and participate in writing workshops.
Prerequisites: An introductory and/or intermediate fiction course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring to class either a work in progress or an idea for a novel or short story.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-115r
Advanced Memoir
Brian Pietras PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17120 | Section 1
Description
This course is intended for experienced writers of memoir who want to produce publishable work. A perennially popular genre, memoir transforms real-life experiences into art. In the first half of the course, we study the work of great memoirists, ranging from canonical favorites (such as Virginia Woolf, James Baldwin, and E.B. White) to emerging and experimental voices (including Alex Marzano-Lesnevich and Carmen Maria Machado). In the second half, we use what we have learned about scene, exposition, character, point of view, and voice to produce new work. Students may write chapters from a memoir project or standalone personal essays.
Prerequisites: One creative writing workshop.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-118r
Advanced Creative Nonfiction
Kurt Pitzer MFA, Author
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17075 | Section 1
Description
This is a writing workshop in which students focus on producing creative nonfiction worthy of publication. What is creative nonfiction? The best definition is simply: true stories, well told. The term encompasses a variety of forms: narrative nonfiction, literary journalism, memoir, personal essay, and the cousin of poetry often referred to as lyrical nonfiction. Students are encouraged to experiment with forms and styles that are new to them. This course follows a workshop format. The instruction students get is in highly detailed feedback, both verbal and written, in response to submitted work. The instructor leads the discussion and offers pointers on topics such as structure and voice. We adhere to a strict standard of using only material that is true. With this understanding, we borrow tools of fiction: techniques of voice, character development, plot, scene, and dialogue. The course is appropriate for fiction and nonfiction writers, poets, journalists, and students of these disciplines who are keen to improve their craft.
Prerequisites: An introductory writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-120r
Advanced Screenwriting
Wayne Wilson MFA, Screenwriter
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16668 | Section 1
Description
In this advanced screenwriting workshop, students watch films and episodic television excerpts and discuss the work of workshop members. During the course, students present two 20- to 30-page acts from their screenplays for class discussion. The final project is a revision of one of these two workshop submissions.
Prerequisites: CREA E-45 or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Students should e-mail a sample of their own screenwriting (ten pages or fewer) to Mr. Wilson before the first class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-121
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Middle Grade and Young Adult Novel
Mary Sullivan Walsh BA, Author and Freelance Editor
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15776 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive workshop for writers interested in developing a middle grade or young adult novel. During each class meeting, we workshop chapters of students’ novels-in-progress, focusing on elements of craft (character, point of view, dialogue, and plot). In addition, by reading and analyzing sections of work by such exemplary novelists as Angie Thomas, Lois Lowry, and Kwame Alexander, students learn to read like writers and to develop their own voices. Students are expected to have completed approximately 40 pages and a working synopsis of their novel by the end of the course.
Prerequisites: A ten-page writing sample to be submitted to mlswalsh@g.harvard.edu before classes begin.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-121
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Middle Grade and Young Adult Novel
Mary Sullivan Walsh BA, Author and Freelance Editor
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25946 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive workshop for writers interested in developing a middle grade or young adult novel. During each class meeting, we workshop chapters of students’ novels-in-progress, focusing on elements of craft (character, point of view, dialogue, and plot). In addition, by reading and analyzing sections of work by such exemplary novelists as Angie Thomas, Lois Lowry, and Kwame Alexander, students learn to read like writers and to develop their own voices. Students are expected to have completed approximately 40 pages and a working synopsis of their novel by the end of the course.
Prerequisites: A ten-page writing sample to be submitted to mlswalsh@g.harvard.edu before classes begin.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-122
Advanced Fiction: Writing Fairy Tales
Katie Beth Kohn MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26745 | Section 1
Description
Fairy tales have inspired authors for centuries and we are still very much under their spell. In the first part of this course, we study classic as well as contemporary fairy tales, including works by Helen Oyeyemi, Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, and Kelly Link. In the second part, students workshop their own original prose fiction fairy tale, which may be a piece of short-form fiction or an excerpt from a longer work in progress. Throughout, we explore how fairy tales have encouraged authors to develop their own style and voice, even as they seem to speak in a language all their own.
Prerequisites: A beginning creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-126
Advanced Fiction: Writing Horror
Katie Beth Kohn MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17076 | Section 1
Description
How do authors achieve the spine-tingling, bone-chilling, nightmare-inducing effects of great horror fiction? In addition to studying works of classic and contemporary horror, students in this course complete two works of short fiction before workshopping and presenting a final work. Throughout, we consider the diversity of the genre, from the gothic romanticism of Bram Stoker and Nathaniel Hawthorne to the paranoiac parables of Shirley Jackson and Ira Levin as well as the blockbuster works of Stephen King. We also pay considerable attention to emerging voices in the genre, studying selected works from Tananarive Due, Paul Tremblay, Carmen Maria Machado, Otessa Moshfegh, Emily Carroll, and Iain Reed. For final works, students are invited to workshop standalone works of short form fiction or selections from larger projects (novels, anthologies, scripts) provided these works are developed and drafted during the course.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-128
Advanced Memoir: Mythic Structures
Elisabeth Sharp McKetta PhD, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26042 | Section 1
Description
Both myth and memoir share a structure: somebody goes into the woods and comes out wiser about the ways of the world, emerging with an elixir (real or symbolic) to bring healing and hope. In sharing a memoir with readers, we share our lessons, the morals of our stories, the keys to our versions of happily ever after. Yet memoir writers often get stuck choosing which stories (from all of the stories we have lived) to include. In this course, we study myths and fairy tales, and write memoirs. We read short memoirs by writers who use these imaginary stories as a framework to examine their own lives, including Linda Grey Sexton, Sabrina Mark, Alexander Chee, and Michael Mejia. Students borrow structure from the great pool of myth and fairy tale lore and then fill in their stories with the particulars of their human-sized lives. Using mythic structure to help shape ordinary life events helps writers to combine universal themes with their own true voice: a way to write our lives and make it matter. Students must craft new material for this course or develop new material for an existing project, such as a chapter in a longer memoir.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-March 15, 9:00am-11:15am
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-130
Advanced Poetry: Learning from Poets
Jodi Johnson PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17145 | Section 1
Description
This is a course for advanced creative writers in all genres who wish to develop their voices by studying the work of such poets as Seamus Heaney, Robert Lowell, Terrance Hayes, and Elizabeth Bishop, writers widely held to be masters of sonics, line quality, phrasing, description, and invention. We also read Helen Vendler’s Coming of Age as a Poet, a book that traces the development of several poets working in the direction of their first mature poem. With weekly critical and poetic readings, as well as writing assignments and a final portfolio of poetry and other creative work, this course shows students how to develop their voices as they immerse themselves in the work of some of the greatest guides in the history of the art.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-131
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Novella
Thomas Wisniewski PhD, Associate of the Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17132 | Section 1
Description
Before the novel was the novella. In length, the form offers what Edgar Allan Poe defines as the ideal duration of literary art it can be read in a single sitting and, in unity of effect, what Ian McEwan has called the perfect form of prose fiction. With a long literary history, the novella remains today a popular genre in literary publishing. This course offers students the chance to study and practice the art of the novella. We read masterful examples of the form and discuss texts with the eye of a writer attentive to elements of craft: dramatic structure, tone, point of view, suspense, prose style, rhythm, characterization, and plotting. Students draft and workshop two sections of their own novella. The writers’ workshop is at the heart of what we do, as we gather twice weekly to critique work-in-progress. Working in this genre pushes students to write with economy and to polish their sentences as they aspire towards the virtues of excellent prose fiction: precision, economy, clarity, and urgency. The course concludes with a conversation about publishing possibilities for novella writers.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-135
Advanced Fiction: Writing Science Fiction
Ben Parson MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17129 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive workshop that explores the speculative worlds of science fiction. Science fiction tasks us with asking the question, what if? It is a genre that demands consideration of modern crises, injustices, and anxieties through the lens of future or imagined realities. In this course, we learn how to apply this lens and refract the ambiguity of human experience, and we seek inspiration from the writing of authors like N.K Jemison, Ursula K. Le Guin, Ted Chiang, and Karen Lord. Drawing lessons from close readings and discussions, students produce their own creative works and hone their craft in a supportive workshop environment. By the end of the course, students have produced at least two pieces of short fiction or two chapters of a longer work.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-141
Advanced TV Writing: Comedy Sketch Writing
Hugh Fink BFA, Writer and Producer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17140 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students develop comedy sketch-writing skills by studying the work of masters of the genre and by drafting and revising the components of a professional submission packet: evergreen topical jokes, fake commercials, conceptual pieces, and original comedic characters. We analyze the comedic structure and use of escalation in classic sketch templates (television and film parodies, political satire, and digital shorts), as well as sketches written for iconic productions, including Saturday Night Live, Key and Peele, and The Chappelle Show. In workshop, students experience the professional pitching and rewriting process as they refine their comedic voice. Students also have the opportunity to visit and study in the television comedy capital, Hollywood, where they meet with professional distinguished comedy writers, participate in a writing workshop, and attend the taping of a current comedy television series, schedule permitting.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 9:45pm-11:45pm
Friday, December 13, 8:30pm-11:30pm
Saturday, December 14, 12:00pm-8:00pm
Sunday, December 15, 12:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency in Los Angeles, California. Please see syllabus for details about the weekend meeting locations. Students must be present for the entire weekend session in Los Angeles, California to earn credit for the course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the weekend session. International Students see important visa information.
All meeting times listed in Eastern time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-146
Advanced Fiction: Writing the Literary Underworld
Elisabeth Sharp McKetta PhD, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26758 | Section 1
Description
In many works of literature and film, the hero or heroine must leave the ordinary world and descend to an underworld, a place tied up with our most essential beliefs about culture and psychology. In this underworld, the protagonist must face mortality and gain knowledge to bring back to the world of the living. In this course, we explore underworlds in prose, poetry, and film, possibly including but not limited to Karen Russell’s Swamplandia!, Grace Dane Mazur’s Garden Party, Katherine May’s Wintering, Homer’s Odyssey, Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, and Disney’s Coco. Drawing upon the great literary pool of underworld traditions, students write their own stories about descents (both literal and metaphorical), creatively depicting the other world, the risks faced, and the knowledge gained. Students produce a complete short story, a chapter of a new work, or a new chapter for a work in progress.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 10:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-151
Advanced Creative Nonfiction: The Narrative Voice
Kurt Pitzer MFA, Author
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26760 | Section 1
Description
A strong narrative voice is essential to all compelling creative writing. This workshop, which focuses sharply on point of view, is for memoirists, essayists, and writers of creative nonfiction who wish to develop their own distinct narrative voices. Students are encouraged to experiment with narrative styles outside of their custom, and to use humor, digression, and other techniques to hook readers and editors. As we review each other’s work, we discuss how the selection of detail is an expression of the narrator’s psychology. What’s driving the telling of the story? What are the hidden narrative motivations that are keys to its theme? We draw inspiration from creative nonfiction masters such as Virginia Woolf, Lia Purpura, Katherine Boo, Charles D’Ambrosio, Brent Staples, and Joan Didion.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-152
Advanced Fiction: Fact to Fiction
David Justin Freed ALM, Novelist and Journalist
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17112 | Section 1
Description
From exercising a keen eye for detail to crafting clean, succinct prose, the skills required of a professional journalist can prove invaluable in writing fiction. This highly participatory course explores how learning to think like a news reporter, doggedly pursuing facts and truth, can help achieve authenticity and credibility when constructing creative short stories. Students write and hone their own short stories while studying the work of journalists whose news careers provided the foundation necessary to produce memorable, critically acclaimed fiction.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-156
The Art of the Pitch
Catherine Eaton MFA, Director and Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16929 | Section 1
Description
You have an idea or you have created a brilliant piece of work: a novel, a screenplay, a concept for a TV series, maybe even a scripted nonfiction podcast. Now what? How do you convince others to jump on board to buy or create or collaborate or publish or produce your story? How do you move it out of your desk drawer or hard drive or imagination and into the world? In this course, we break down the making of a pitch into its core elements generating the idea, developing the story, and stress-testing the material as we practice strategies for producing pitch materials and for pitching your project, in the room, to a live audience. Students write and revise two treatments: one for a work they have created and one for an idea they have yet to develop. Students build one look book and one pitch deck and do three live pitches. Students develop an insider’s perspective on industry practices and etiquette, essential knowledge for anyone interested in the business of creation.
Prerequisites: An advanced creative writing course or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-159
What Writers Can Learn from Shakespeare
Joyce Van Dyke PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26611 | Section 1
Description
This is a course for playwrights, fiction writers, and screenwriters. The course explores specific techniques of William Shakespeare’s character creation, with the aim of enlarging our own technical repertoire as contemporary writers. Techniques include the most important thing to know about how Shakespeare builds his characters (developed by John Barton), using key-words and key-rhythms in a character’s language, why writers should obscure a character’s motives, Frank Kermode’s concept of Shakespeare as a virtuoso of openings, making minor characters spicy, and the creative use of stereotypes. Course work for individual students culminates in a major writing project in the student’s chosen genre (for example, a play, screenplay, piece of short fiction, or piece of long fiction). There are weekly writing exercises on the character techniques discussed in class; these exercises are the same for everyone, regardless of the genre of their writing project. The writing project and the weekly exercises comprise the portfolio to be turned in at the end of the course. Course requirements include reading several Shakespeare plays (including Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, and Measure for Measure), weekly writing assignments, and the major writing project.
Prerequisites: Experience with playwriting, screenwriting, fiction writing, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-162
Genre Fiction
Katie Beth Kohn MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26770 | Section 1
Description
What distinguishes the market for genre fiction from other literary markets? How might writers working both within and beyond existing genres learn to think with genre in order to navigate their intended marketplaces or better understand their own work? This course offers the opportunity to apply the framework of genre fiction from traditional genres (for example, mystery, romance, science fiction, or horror) to emerging subgenres and markets (for example, new adult fiction) to an original creative work of fiction, nonfiction, or dramatic writing. During the course, students draft and revise an original creative project of 15 to 20 pages and are invited to workshop either standalone works or selections from larger projects. Projects need not fit cleanly into a single traditional or well-known genre; experimentations with genre are welcome. While curiosity regarding emerging trends in genre and mass-market fiction is encouraged, knowledge of genre theory is not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-22
Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
Margaret Deli PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26257 | Section 1
Description
This is a workshop-based course for students interested in creative nonfiction: reading it, discussing it, and writing it for yourself. The course is based on a simple premise: good readers make good writers. We read and discuss texts by the likes of Zadie Smith, James Baldwin, and Joan Didion, helping to hone students’ knowledge and appreciation for the craft of writing.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-24
Story Development
Shelley Evans MFA, Screenwriter
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24510 | Section 1
Description
This workshop introduces the unique challenges of longform storytelling, and helps writers develop strategies for approaching long projects, either screenplays or novels. Many writers are drawn to the page by character or language or theme, but story is the scaffold on which movies and novels depend. Over the course of the semester, we learn to work creatively with the tasks of story building. We begin with ideas where and how do we find them? What kinds of ideas can carry a story? How can you turn a wobbly idea into one that works? We then consider character who does the story belong to? How do their desires, problems, and drives give the story its essential energy? Then we turn to story development and structure, the primary work of the course: how do you keep an idea alive for two-hundred pages, or two hours? What elements help a story build energy and momentum, and deliver us to a satisfying close? We explore these essential story energies using writing exercises, examples from film and literature, and the shared experience of working writers.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CREA E-25
Introduction to Fiction Writing
William Holinger MA, Director, Secondary School Program, Harvard Summer School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16814 | Section 1
Description
A workshop for writers with little or no experience in writing fiction. The course focuses on elements of fiction including narrative voice, dialogue, character, point of view, description, and structure. Students are asked to read and discuss fiction by major writers, to critique each other’s work, and to write and revise at least one short story. Requirements also include several short writing exercises.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CREA E-25
Introduction to Fiction Writing
Ben Parson MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26783 | Section 1
Description
A workshop for writers with little or no experience in writing fiction. The course focuses on elements of fiction including narrative voice, dialogue, character, point of view, description, and structure. Students are asked to read and discuss fiction by major writers, to critique each other’s work, and to write and revise at least one short story. Requirements also include several short writing exercises.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CREA E-30a
Beginning Poetry: Listening to Lines
David Barber MFA, Author
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16374 | Section 1
Description
This intensive workshop offers students the opportunity to develop their aptitude and affinity for the practice of poetry. Students follow a structured sequence of writing assignments, readings, and exercises aimed at cultivating a sound working knowledge of the fundamental principles of prosody and the evolving possibilities of poetic form. There is a special emphasis on listening to lines and saying poems aloud, in concert with an eclectic assortment of audio archives. Another principal focus is the verse line through time, as we turn for instruction and inspiration to what the critic Paul Fussell calls the “historical dimension” of poetic meter and poetic form. The collective goal of the course is to create the conditions for reading and writing poems with a stronger sense of technical know-how and expressive conviction as well as a renewed appreciation for why poetry matters.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CREA E-45a
Beginning Screenwriting
Susan Steinberg PhD, Filmmaker, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16939 | Section 1
Description
This is a workshop for those who wish to learn the foundations and processes for writing feature-length motion picture screenplays. Adaptations, documentary, and television scripts may be written with the instructor’s permission. Topics covered include concept and theme development, dramatic structure, plot, character arc, dialogue writing, the use of visual language, and writing in format. By the semester’s end, students produce a full feature film treatment and complete act one of their film in script format. Class meetings consist of presentation and discussion of work, writing exercises, brief lectures, film, and script analyses. At the semester’s end, actors do readings of script segments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CREA E-501
Advanced Creative Writing Seminar: A Sense of Place
Thomas Wisniewski PhD, Associate of the Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26784 | Section 1
Description
How to create a sense of place? This seminar focuses intensively on setting in fiction and nonfiction. To that end, we study how writers evoke place vividly on the page in a range of published works. Students submit 15-20 pages of original fiction or nonfiction to the workshop a short story or novel or memoir excerpt and may draw on a project in progress. There are additional exercises drawn from the techniques studied in class, and students submit a revised portfolio at the end of the semester. Students must be admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM), creative writing and literature to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-502
Advanced Creative Writing Seminar: Point of View
Leah De Forest MFA, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17143 | Section 1
Description
This seminar focuses intensively on point of view in fiction. We examine close third, limited omniscient, omniscient, first person, first-person direct address, and second person point of view (POV) in a range of published works, with an eye to how these techniques work and how and why we might use them on the page. This is an opportunity for students to solidify their knowledge and build new POV skills. Never tried omniscience or direct address? Here is your chance. Students submit 10-20 pages of original fiction (a short story or novel excerpt; students may draw on a project in progress) for workshop, and there are exercises on the techniques we study. At the end of the semester, students submit a revised version of their short story or novel excerpt and give a class presentation on the use of point of view in their work. Students must be admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM), creative writing and literature to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-59
Intermediate Screenwriting
Susan Steinberg PhD, Filmmaker, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26775 | Section 1
Description
This is a course for fiction film, television, and documentary scripts in which students complete or add significantly to a work-in-progress or start a new script if they wish. In addition to producing a work portfolio and increasing their writers’ skills, the course focus is exploring and developing and students’ writing process and unique voice. The course is designed to enable participants to work on fundamental elements crucial to excellence in dramatic writing such as theme, script voice and tone, character drive and character arc, script structure and designing principle, and scene structure. Students who wish to start a new script or work in an experimental form may do so with the instructor’s permission. Students produce 30-40 new script pages in format and a 1-4 page treatment for a completed or new script, as well as the script’s log line and tag line. Students are encouraged to write a complete script over the semester, if they wish, but students who wish to do so must arrange a special writing schedule with the instructor.
Prerequisites: Students should have completed an introductory class in fiction or dramatic writing or a beginning screenwriting course with a satisfactory grade, and/or have independently written a treatment/outline and at least 30 pages for an original script, or written fiction on an independent basis. Students who have not taken screenwriting, but have taken other fiction writing courses, or who have written fiction works or poetry and wish to enroll should contact the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-597
Precapstone: Building the World of the Book: Fiction
Katie Beth Kohn MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16990 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students engage in a series of structured creative writing exercises that make it possible for them to delve deeply into their characters what they look like, what they want and need, and how they interact with the world in which they live as they structure the imaginative world of their fiction. Students draft the first chapter of their capstone novel or the first story in their capstone collection (15-20 pages). Students also write a plan for their projects (5-10 pages) in which they create a roadmap of their book, bringing the plot and key characters into focus and defining the audience for their stories.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, CREA E-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course with the same instructor (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-10:40pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-597
Precapstone: Building the World of the Book: Fiction or Nonfiction
Leah De Forest MFA, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16821 | Section 2
Description
In this course, students engage in a series of structured creative writing exercises that make it possible for them to delve deeply into their characters what they look like, what they want and need, and how they interact with the world in which they live as they structure the imaginative world of their fiction or nonfiction. Students draft the first chapter of their capstone novel, memoir, or nonfiction book, or the first story or essay in their capstone collection (15-20 pages). Students also write a plan for their projects (5-10 pages) in which they create a roadmap of their book, bringing the narrative arc and key characters into focus and defining the audience for their work.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, CREA E-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course with the same instructor (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-597
Precapstone: Building the World of the Book: Fiction
Elizabeth Ames MFA, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17275 | Section 3
Description
In this course, students engage in a series of structured creative writing exercises that make it possible for them to delve deeply into their characters what they look like, what they want and need, and how they interact with the world in which they live as they structure the imaginative world of their fiction. Students draft the first chapter of their capstone novel or the first story in their capstone collection (15-20 pages). Students also write a plan for their projects (5-10 pages) in which they create a roadmap of their book, bringing the plot and key characters into focus and defining the audience for their stories.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, CREA E-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course with the same instructor (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-597
Precapstone: Building the World of the Book: Fiction or Nonfiction
Thomas Wisniewski PhD, Associate of the Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17289 | Section 4
Description
In this course, students engage in a series of structured creative writing exercises that make it possible for them to delve deeply into their characters what they look like, what they want and need, and how they interact with the world in which they live as they structure the imaginative world of their fiction or nonfiction. Students draft the first chapter of their capstone novel, memoir, or nonfiction book, or the first story or essay in their capstone collection (15-20 pages). Students also write a plan for their projects (5-10 pages) in which they create a roadmap of their book, bringing the narrative arc and key characters into focus and defining the audience for their work.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, CREA E-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course with the same instructor (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-599
Capstone: Developing the Manuscript: Fiction
Katie Beth Kohn MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26624 | Section 1
Description
This course is meant to follow CREA E-597, in which students built the imaginative world of their books and produced the first story or chapter of them. In this workshop, students write two additional chapters or stories, or approximately 30 pages of new work. The capstone project in total should be about 50-60 pages the equivalent of a thesis. Students submit the entire manuscript the plan and the three chapters developed during both the precapstone and capstone courses at the end of the second semester, but instructors read and comment on only the two new chapters.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature. Candidates must be in good academic standing, with only the capstone and the on-campus summer residency left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, CREA E-597, with the same instructor in the previous fall term. Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-10:40pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-599
Capstone: Developing the Manuscript: Fiction or Nonfiction
Leah De Forest MFA, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26418 | Section 2
Description
This course is meant to follow CREA E-597, in which students built the imaginative world of their books and produced the first story or chapter of them. In this workshop, students write two additional chapters or stories, or approximately 30 pages of new work. The capstone project in total should be about 50-60 pages the equivalent of a thesis. Students submit the entire manuscript the plan and the three chapters, stories, or essays developed during both the precapstone and capstone courses at the end of the second semester, but instructors read and comment on only the two new chapters.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature. Candidates must be in good academic standing, with only the capstone and the on-campus summer residency left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, CREA E-597, with the same instructor in the previous fall term. Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-599
Capstone: Developing the Manuscript: Fiction
Elizabeth Ames MFA, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26913 | Section 3
Description
This course is meant to follow CREA E-597, in which students built the imaginative world of their books and produced the first story or chapter of them. In this workshop, students write two additional chapters or stories, or approximately 30 pages of new work. The capstone project in total should be about 50-60 pages the equivalent of a thesis. Students submit the entire manuscript the plan and the three chapters developed during both the precapstone and capstone courses at the end of the second semester, but instructors read and comment on only the two new chapters.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature. Candidates must be in good academic standing, with only the capstone and the on-campus summer residency left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, CREA E-597, with the same instructor in the previous fall term. Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-599
Capstone: Developing the Manuscript: Fiction or Nonfiction
Thomas Wisniewski PhD, Associate of the Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26925 | Section 4
Description
This course is meant to follow CREA E-597, in which students built the imaginative world of their books and produced the first story or chapter of them. In this workshop, students write two additional chapters or stories, or approximately 30 pages of new work. The capstone project in total should be about 50-60 pages the equivalent of a thesis. Students submit the entire manuscript the plan and the three chapters, stories, or essays developed during both the precapstone and capstone courses at the end of the second semester, but instructors read and comment on only the two new chapters.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, creative writing and literature. Candidates must be in good academic standing, with only the capstone and the on-campus summer residency left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, CREA E-597, with the same instructor in the previous fall term. Candidates are allowed to complete the summer residency after the capstone. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Course meets roughly every other week. See syllabus for specific meeting dates.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
CREA E-65
Humor Writing
Ian Shank MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26562 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive workshop for creative writing students looking to seriously invest in their craft. Over the course of the semester, students draft five mini-essays (1-2 pages each) inspired by an author or comic technique studied in class, and then expand and substantively revise one or two of these drafts to include in a final portfolio (10 pages). As part of the final revision process, students identify an online humor publication in consultation with the instructor that is aligned with the spirit of their work, and then pitch and/or submit at least one piece from their final portfolio for consideration.
Prerequisites: A beginning-level creative writing course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-90
Fundamentals of Fiction
Tracy L. Strauss MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17116 | Section 1
Description
This intensive, immersive course is designed for graduate-credit students with strong writing skills and an interest in becoming fiction writers but little formal experience, students who would like to develop a solid foundation in story and scene structure before embarking on an advanced fiction writing course. The first part of the course focuses on a close analysis of plot and structure in several short stories and novels. Students then apply these techniques and methods to generate and shape their own ideas, build a solid narrative foundation, and use scene structure to craft a dramatic story. Using Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, students explore and learn the fundamentals of character, dialogue, showing versus telling, and point of view. By the end of the course, students complete a short story or the first chapter of a novel (about 15 to 20 pages of fiction), which is workshopped in class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-90
Fundamentals of Fiction
Tracy L. Strauss MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26063 | Section 1
Description
This intensive, immersive course is designed for graduate-credit students with strong writing skills and an interest in becoming fiction writers but little formal experience, students who would like to develop a solid foundation in story and scene structure before embarking on an advanced fiction writing course. The first part of the course focuses on a close analysis of plot and structure in several short stories and novels. Students then apply these techniques and methods to generate and shape their own ideas, build a solid narrative foundation, and use scene structure to craft a dramatic story. Using Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, students explore and learn the fundamentals of character, dialogue, showing versus telling, and point of view. By the end of the course, students complete a short story or the first chapter of a novel (about 15 to 20 pages of fiction), which is workshopped in class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-91
Fundamentals of Dramatic Writing
Shelley Evans MFA, Screenwriter
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16697 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students with strong writing skills who have an interest in writing plays and/or screenplays, but little formal experience. The course introduces basic principles of dramatic writing and provides a foundation for advanced playwrighting and screenwriting courses. Using both plays and screenplays as study texts, we elucidate the elements of dramatic writing and consider how those elements work differently in different mediums. Plays and screenplays are similar but not the same both genres create narrative using character and dialogue, but plays lean more heavily on the inner life and voice of characters, while screenplays unfold in the external world, building stories with images and action. Weekly exercises guide students through the process of developing different kinds of scripts assessing potential story ideas, doing pre-draft character and backstory exploration, finding structure, and writing scenes. By the end of the semester, students have completed a short outline and the first twenty pages of a play or screenplay, which are workshopped in class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CREA E-91
Fundamentals of Dramatic Writing
Jennifer Rapaport MFA, Independent Screenwriter
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26708 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students with strong writing skills who have an interest in writing plays and/or screenplays, but little formal experience. The course introduces basic principles of dramatic writing and provides a foundation for advanced playwrighting and screenwriting courses. Using both plays and screenplays as study texts, we elucidate the elements of dramatic writing and consider how those elements work differently in different mediums. Plays and screenplays are similar but not the same both genres create narrative using character and dialogue, but plays lean more heavily on the inner life and voice of characters, while screenplays unfold in the external world, building stories with images and action. Weekly exercises guide students through the process of developing different kinds of scripts assessing potential story ideas, doing pre-draft character and backstory exploration, finding structure, and writing scenes. By the end of the semester, students have completed a short outline and the first twenty pages of a play or screenplay, which are workshopped in class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
CSCI E-101
Foundations of Data Science and Engineering
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16602 | Section 1
Description
Most data scientists spend 20 percent of their time building data models and analyzing model results. What do they do with the remaining 80 percent of their time? The answer is data engineering. Data engineering is a subdiscipline of software engineering that focuses on the transportation, transformation, and management of data. This course takes a comprehensive approach to explore data science, which includes data engineering concepts and techniques. Key topics include data management and transformation, exploratory data analysis and visualization, statistical thinking and machine learning, natural language processing, and storytelling with data, emphasizing the integration of Python, MySQL, Tableau, development, and big data analytics platforms. Students cannot earn Harvard Extension School degree credit for CSCI E-101 if it is taken after CSCI E-29.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-7, CSCI E-50, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-101
Foundations of Data Science and Engineering
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26190 | Section 1
Description
Most data scientists spend 20 percent of their time building data models and analyzing model results. What do they do with the remaining 80 percent of their time? The answer is data engineering. Data engineering is a subdiscipline of software engineering that focuses on the transportation, transformation, and management of data. This course takes a comprehensive approach to explore data science, which includes data engineering concepts and techniques. Key topics include data management and transformation, exploratory data analysis and visualization, statistical thinking and machine learning, natural language processing, and storytelling with data, emphasizing the integration of Python, MySQL, Tableau, development, and big data analytics platforms. Students cannot earn Harvard Extension School degree credit for CSCI E-101 if it is taken after CSCI E-29.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-7, CSCI E-50, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-102
Econometrics and Causal Inference with R
Dmitry V. Kurochkin PhD, Senior Research Analyst, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Faculty Affairs, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26343 | Section 1
Description
Supervised learning algorithms, such as support-vector machines, random forests, and neural networks have demonstrated phenomenal performance in the era of big data. However, they often fail in answering the question, what would happen if the world changed in some specific way while holding other variables fixed? Such problems arise in many business applications including in finance, policymaking, and healthcare. This course covers modern econometric techniques for evaluating causal effects based on observational (that is, non-experimental) data. Topics covered in the course include multivariate linear regression, heteroscedasticity and weighted least squares (WLS), dummy variables and interactions, difference in differences (DD), logistic regression, probit model, censored regression models, exact matching, propensity score matching (PSM), regression discontinuity design (RDD), fuzzy regression discontinuity (FRD), synthetic control, instrumental variables (IV), and two-stage least squares (2SLS). Students get hands-on experience using R.
Prerequisites: Calculus equivalent to MATH E-15, introductory probability and statistics, and familiarity with linear regression. Prior programming experience, preferably in R, is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections Fridays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-103
Data Engineering for Analytics to Solve Business Challenges
Eric Gieseke ALM, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Pago Capital
Anindita Mahapatra ALM, Solutions Architect, Databricks
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16694 | Section 1
Description
In today’s world, data is generated at an ever-increasing rate. The analytic platforms need to match this pace of generated data, digest it, and generate useful insights. The best decisions are made with informed data and as it changes, one needs to follow the signals and indicators embedded in the data. The technology space is evolving rapidly and choosing the right technology fit for the data at hand is an important decision. The next decision is to select the best architecture to provide the solution for technical challenges and helps the business improve its growth, revenue, and time to market. Spark provides a swiss army knife to handle the entire data life cycle, from ingestion to consumption. Newer offerings from the open source community around Delta and MLFlow help strengthen the data platform by making it performant, reliable, and repeatable. Often, innovation is left in proof of concept stages and does not see production because of the lack of foundational architectural components necessary for hardened and mature enterprise-grade deployments. This lost innovation translates to lost revenue and missed opportunities. This course helps students to appreciate the power of technology and skillfully apply it in practical situations in the real world. It leverages the Databricks platform on Amazon web services (AWS) to simplify the cluster setup so that students can focus on the data engineering aspects of getting the data ready for analytics.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with Amazon Web Services, structured query language (SQL), and Python. Some experience with big data, Spark, and data stores is good to have.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections Thursdays, 6-7 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
CSCI E-104
Advanced Deep Learning
Zoran B. Djordjevic PhD, Senior Enterprise Architect, Nishava, Inc.
Blagoje Zoran Djordjevic PhD, Staff Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26435 | Section 1
Description
Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning applications have proliferated and are having an increasing impact on industry, sciences, and engineering. This course expounds on those trends and enables students to engage in advanced research and development in AI and deep learning. We investigate essential concepts and topics such as large language models (LLMs), generative adversarial networks (GANs, stable diffusion, or text-to-speech), graph neural networks (GNNs), and differentiable applications in natural science. For important classes of neural networks, we explore the fundamental mechanisms behind their operations and provide practical illustrations of their uses. For example, we review the structure of transformer-based pretrained LLMs, the principles of attention, and their use in applications such as ChatGPT, with a focus on understanding prompt programming. For GANs, we examine the generation of realistic representations of people, speech, paintings, and music. For GNNs, we dive into the analysis of chemical molecules, proteins, and drugs and quantitative structure property relationships in physical systems. We learn how to impose constraints that are reflections of physical or geometric laws governing physical systems. Concepts introduced in every lecture are illustrated by practical examples. Code samples used in lectures and homework assignments are written in PyTorch and occasionally in Keras 3.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-89 or any other introductory deep learning course. Proficiency with Python.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections Saturdays, 1-2 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-106
Data Modeling
Hakan Gogtas PhD, Head of US Model Validation Group, Deutsche Bank
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15765 | Section 1
Description
This course explores data modeling methodologies with the goal of understanding how to choose, apply, and interpret appropriate statistical designs and analyses for practical data problems. Topics covered include understanding the relationships in the data, theory and application of linear and non-linear regression models, model building steps, diagnostic of models, and remedial measures. Students can count one of the following three courses CSCI E-106, STAT E-109, or STAT E-139 (offered previously) toward a degree or certificate.
Prerequisites: Proficiency in R programming, introductory probability and statistics, multivariate calculus equivalent to MATH E-21a, and linear algebra equivalent to MATH E-21b.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-106
Data Modeling
Hakan Gogtas PhD, Head of US Model Validation Group, Deutsche Bank
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26017 | Section 1
Description
This course explores data modeling methodologies with the goal of understanding how to choose, apply, and interpret appropriate statistical designs and analyses for practical data problems. Topics covered include understanding the relationships in the data, theory and application of linear and non-linear regression models, model building steps, diagnostic of models, and remedial measures. Students can count one of the following three courses CSCI E-106, STAT E-109, or STAT E-139 (offered previously) toward a degree or certificate.
Prerequisites: Proficiency in R programming, introductory probability and statistics, multivariate calculus equivalent to MATH E-21a, and linear algebra equivalent to MATH E-21b.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-108
Data Mining, Discovery, and Exploration
Stephen Elston PhD, Principal Consultant, Quantia Analytics LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26492 | Section 1
Description
Extracting useful insights and relationships from massive complex data sets is the domain of data mining. Data mining has wide ranging applications in science and technology, including web search, interactions in social networks, recommender systems, processing signals in large internet-of-things (IoT) sensor networks, image search, genetic analysis, and discovery of interactions between drugs. This course surveys a range of unsupervised learning algorithms for data mining. The emphasis is on graph algorithms and scaling for massive datasets. The course comprises readings and lectures on theory along with hands-on exercises and projects where students apply the theory through Python coding. For the hands-on component of the course a variety of libraries in the Python language, including possibly Scikit-Learn, NetworkX, Neo4J, and Surprise are used. Students may not take both CSCI E-96 and CSCI E-108 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Students enrolling in this course are expected to have some background in Python programming equivalent to CSCI E-7 or CSCI E-50 and statistical modeling equivalent to CSCI E-63c, CSCI E-101, CSCI E-106, or STAT E-109. Knowledge of basic linear algebra, equivalent to MATH E-21a, is essential.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections Tuesdays, 6-8 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-109a
Introduction to Data Science
Pavlos Protopapas PhD, Scientific Program Director and Lecturer, Institute for Applied Computational Science, Harvard University
Christopher William Gumb ALB, Preceptor in Computational and Data Science, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Natesh S. Pillai PhD, Professor of Statistics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16877 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the analysis of messy, real life data to perform predictions using statistical and machine learning methods. Material covered integrates the five key facets of an investigation using data: data collection data wrangling, cleaning, and sampling to get a suitable data set; data management accessing data quickly and reliably; exploratory data analysis generating hypotheses and building intuition; prediction or statistical learning; and communication summarizing results through visualization, stories, and interpretable summaries. Students who have previously completed CSCI E-107 or CSCI E-109 (both offered previously) may not count CSCI E-109a or CSCI E-109b toward a degree or certificate.
Prerequisites: Programming knowledge at the level of CSCI E-50 or above, statistics knowledge at the level of STAT E-100 or above, and calculus (MATH E-15 or the equivalent) required. It is recommended that students have received a grade of B+ or better in these courses before enrolling in CSCI E-109a. Introductory probability is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 1090a. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:45-11:00 am starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 85 students
CSCI E-109b
Advanced Topics in Data Science
Pavlos Protopapas PhD, Scientific Program Director and Lecturer, Institute for Applied Computational Science, Harvard University
Christopher William Gumb ALB, Preceptor in Computational and Data Science, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Natesh S. Pillai PhD, Professor of Statistics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26501 | Section 1
Description
Building upon the material in CSCI E-109a, the course introduces advanced methods for statistical modeling, representation, and prediction. Topics include multiple deep learning architectures such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), transformers, language models, autoencoders, and generative models, as well as basic Bayesian methods and unsupervised learning. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in both the fall and spring course within the same academic year. Students who have previously completed CSCI E-107 or CSCI E-109 may not take CSCI E-109a or CSCI E-109b for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: A grade of B-minus or higher in CSCI E-109a. Students who have not completed CSCI E-109a should contact the instructors before registering.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 1090b. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00-10:15 am starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 85 students
CSCI E-10a
Introduction to Computer Science Using Java I
Henry H. Leitner PhD, Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14289 | Section 1
Description
Intended for students with no previous programming background, this course introduces problem-solving methods and algorithm development using Java, one of the most popular high-level programming languages in the world. Students learn how to design, code, debug, and document programs using modern engineering techniques in a cloud-based Linux environment. Related topics include programming using iterative constructs, the basic aspects of arrays and recursion, string manipulation, parameter passing, information hiding and encapsulation using classes, and the functional decomposition of methods to enable object-oriented design. Some applications are chosen for their relevance to more advanced coursework in computer science while others involve nonscientific and business-related areas. Students can count two of the following three courses CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, and CSCI E-50 toward a degree. They may not count all three toward a degree.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-10b
Introduction to Computer Science Using Java II
Henry H. Leitner PhD, Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16971 | Section 1
Description
This course is a continuation of CSCI E-10a, with an emphasis on object-oriented programming using Java, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. We begin with the implementation of abstract data types using classes, focusing on encapsulation of procedures and data, inheritance hierarchies, and polymorphism across different object types. Other topics include string processing, multidimensional arrays, ArrayLists, Vectors, and linked lists; streams and file I/O; recursion; exception handling; threads and event-driven programming; and graphical user interface design using the Swing classes. The course concludes with an introduction to RISC machine architecture and aspects of compilers and operating systems. Programming exercises are conducted in a cloud-based Linux environment. Students can count two of the following three courses CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, and CSCI E-50 toward a degree. They may not count all three toward a degree.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-10a, or the equivalent experience in a high-level programming language such as C, C++, or Java.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-10b
Introduction to Computer Science Using Java II
Henry H. Leitner PhD, Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24027 | Section 1
Description
This course is a continuation of CSCI E-10a, with an emphasis on object-oriented programming using Java, one of the world’s most popular programming languages. We begin with the implementation of abstract data types using classes, focusing on encapsulation of procedures and data, inheritance hierarchies, and polymorphism across different object types. Other topics include string processing, multidimensional arrays, ArrayLists, Vectors, and linked lists; streams and file I/O; recursion; exception handling; threads and event-driven programming; and graphical user interface design using the Swing classes. The course concludes with an introduction to RISC machine architecture and aspects of compilers and operating systems. Programming exercises are conducted in a cloud-based Linux environment. Students can count two of the following three courses CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, and CSCI E-50 toward a degree. They may not count all three toward a degree.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-10a, or the equivalent experience in a high-level programming language such as C, C++, or Java.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-11
Artificial Intelligence, the Internet-of-Things, and Cybersecurity
Simson L. Garfinkel PhD, Visiting Lecturer on Computer Science, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Geoff Cohen PhD, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26787 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we review use cases and challenges of three interrelated areas in computer science: cybersecurity (cyber), artificial intelligence (AI), and the internet-of-things (IoT). Students gain an overview of the possibilities and challenges of building complex information systems that take advantage of recent advances in these fields. Although the course covers three distinct areas, the emphasis is to have each student develop a personal toolkit of analytic approaches that can be used to analyze and understand problems in these or any other area at the leading edge of applied computer science. Students gain an understanding of what is possible today, what is likely to be delivered from research labs and into production within the next three years, and what is almost certainly science fiction. The course begins with a full-stack introduction to the computer science ecosystem, starting with the fundamentals of digital computers and computation, modern system architectures, the technology supply ecosystem, funding mechanisms, customers, and the impact of governments and mega-corporations. Students learn how to find and understand the research literature of computer science. Next, this course explores how cybersecurity is a constant issue that must be addressed at every level of the stack; to do this, the course uses a combination of first principles and a case-study approach. The second part surveys state-of-the-art topics in designing AI products and services. The focus of this part of the course is to understand AI’s rapidly evolving frontier. It covers the history and likely future directions of research, including the 50-year tension between symbolic and connectionist (neural network) approaches to AI, the AI hype cycle, knowledge representation, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and deep learning. Topics in this first section also include existing hurdles for successful AI design such as explainability, visualization, and adversarial attacks. The third part of the course looks at the IoT. While the promise of the IoT brings many new business opportunities, it also presents significant challenges including architectural choices, security concerns, moral challenges, and the potential for social upheaval. This part of the course offers approaches for identifying important choices facing designers for example, the engineering and business tradeoffs between using AI at the edge or in the cloud. By the end of the course students come to appreciate that cyber, AI, and IoT all seem like different things, and indeed are all being researched and practiced by different groups, but that success in both the marketplace and in the competition between the great powers requires mastery of all three, because they are really all aspects of using machine computation for human advantage.
Prerequisites: An introductory computer science course (for example, CSCI E-3, CSCI E-7, or CSCI E-10a) plus familiarity with precalculus mathematics (MATH E-10 or the equivalent).
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-112
Advertising Analytics and Real-Time Technology
Justin E. Fortier MBA, Customer Facing Data Scientist, Sales, Sway AI
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26778 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a detailed overview of today’s digital advertising technology industry. Students learn the ecosystem, common goals, success metrics, and key national and local competitors that define the industry. Key terms, such as real-time bidding and walled gardens, are introduced. Topics include the use of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence as advertising technology optimization tools, and the challenges that recent legislation protecting consumer data present to advertising technology firms. Students may not take both CSCI E-112 and ISMT E-111 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Students need laptops loaded with Jupyter notebooks and Python 3.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
CSCI E-115
Advanced Practical Data Science
Pavlos Protopapas PhD, Scientific Program Director and Lecturer, Institute for Applied Computational Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26769 | Section 1
Description
In today’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world, building a robust deep learning model is only half the journey. The real challenge often lies in bringing this model to life in the form of an application that is scalable, maintainable, and ready for real-world deployment. In this course, we traverse the complex landscape of machine learning operations, with a special focus on large language models (LLMs). This course has been meticulously curated to provide a holistic understanding of the complete deep learning workflow, from refining your models to deploying them in production environments. We dive deep into topics like containerization, cloud functions, data pipelines, and advanced training workflows, with specific emphasis on LLMs. Students learn how to utilize LLM application programming interfaces (APIs) effectively, host APIs, fine-tune LLMs for specific tasks, adapt them to various domains, and build applications around them. Our objective is not only to help students grasp these concepts but also to empower them to build and deploy scalable AI applications. We delve into the particular intricacies of LLMs and their applications in real-world scenarios. Whether students are AI enthusiasts wanting to understand the intricacies of machine learning operations or seasoned professionals aiming to fortify their knowledge, this course promises a comprehensive exploration of the production side of AI, with a spotlight on LLM applications and productionizing.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in machine learning and deep learning, such as CSCI E-89, CSCI E-109b, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
CSCI E-116
Dynamic Modeling and Forecasting in Big Data
William Yu PhD, Economist, Anderson Forecast, University of California, Los Angeles, Anderson School of Management
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16856 | Section 1
Description
Most machine learning models focus on cross-sectional data, while most time-series models focus on time series with few variables and low-frequency data. This course covers the skills and models to handle big data that are both rich in variables and time. We discuss both structural models and reduced-form models. Students learn dynamic regression model, dynamic factor model, vector autoregressions model, error correction model, dimensional reduction tools for fat dataset, and state-space model. Students also learn advanced methods to decompose trend, cycle, and seasonality in high-frequency data and to make more reliable time series forecasting.
Prerequisites: One programming course in any programming language. An introductory machine learning course, such as linear regression or machine learning in general.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-116
Dynamic Modeling and Forecasting in Big Data
William Yu PhD, Economist, Anderson Forecast, University of California, Los Angeles, Anderson School of Management
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26469 | Section 1
Description
Most machine learning models focus on cross-sectional data, while most time-series models focus on time series with few variables and low-frequency data. This course covers the skills and models to handle big data that are both rich in variables and time. We discuss both structural models and reduced-form models. Students learn dynamic regression model, dynamic factor model, vector autoregressions model, error correction model, dimensional reduction tools for fat dataset, and state-space model. Students also learn advanced methods to decompose trend, cycle, and seasonality in high-frequency data and to make more reliable time series forecasting.
Prerequisites: One programming course in any programming language. An introductory machine learning course, such as linear regression or machine learning in general.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-117
Secure Applications: Managing the Deployment Infrastructure
Heather Hinton PhD, Chief Information Security Officer in Residence, Professional Association of CISOs
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26436 | Section 1
Description
You have spent time designing, developing, and testing your web-facing, internet accessible, or internet of things (IoT) product and have released it into a world of ever-changing and constantly more aggressive cyber threats. How do you know if you can handle a data breach or a cybersecurity compromise? How do you continue to protect the data your application processes and keep your application available and secure, and how do you prove this to your customers? Thanks to the President’s Executive Order (EO) 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, the US Securities and Exchange Commission cybersecurity actions, and the latest technology advances (such as generative artificial intelligence [AI]), this is getting harder and more time consuming. In this course, we work through the steps to secure your product and its operating environment, including prioritizing how we protect the asset classes that make up your environment beyond just the software application itself (so, the networks, devices, applications, data, and users that support your product) and how to detect and respond to attacks against the overall ecosystem and individual assets. Course content includes threats, exploits, and compromises drawn from the news (sadly there are always pertinent things in the cybersecurity news that we can use as the basis of discussion), as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA’s) Zero Trust Maturity Model, CISA’s Known Exploitable Vulnerability (KEV) lists, risk management concepts, and whatever is topical at the time in the news.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-149a or experience with security software development principles. A basic understanding of security threats, tools, and landscape.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-12
Fundamentals of Website Development
David P. Heitmeyer AM, Director of Academic Platforms and Development, Harvard University Information Technology
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15078 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comprehensive overview of website development. Students explore the prevailing vocabulary, tools, and standards used in the field and learn how the various facets including HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, multimedia, scripting languages, HTTP, clients, servers, and databases function together in today’s web environment. The course provides a solid web development foundation, focusing on content and client-side (browser) components (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, multimedia), with an overview of the server-side technologies. In addition, software and services that are easily incorporated into a website (for example, maps, checkout, blogs, content management) are surveyed and discussed. Students produce an interactive website on the topic of their choice for the final project and leave the course prepared for more advanced and focused web development studies.
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity working with computers, including file management.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-120
Introduction to Algorithms, Computability, and Complexity
Anurag Anshu PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Salil P. Vadhan PhD, Vicky Joseph Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and Harvard College Professor, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17283 | Section 1
Description
Looking at the world around us, we see computers solving problems on incredibly large scales: finding webpages relevant to our internet searches and returning them in sorted order, computing the quickest way to reach a destination given current traffic conditions, and matching people on dating sites. How is this possible? More computing power? Intensive application-specific engineering? While these certainly have had a role to play, in this course, students are exposed to and learn how to use general algorithm design principles that cut across application domains and remain relevant even as computing technology changes. First among these principles is mathematical abstraction, whereby we capture the essence of a computational problem (as well as the notion of what a computer is) so that we can develop and analyze solutions independent of an implementation. Given these mathematical abstractions, we can apply a toolkit of basic algorithmic techniques in the search for solutions and then gain certainty in their correctness and efficiency through rigorous mathematical proofs. Furthermore, the powerful concept of reductions allows us to identify relationships between computational problems that seem very different on the surface and thus automatically transfer solutions from one to another. At the same time, some important computational problems have defied the search for algorithmic solutions. Computer scientists would love to have debugging tools that determine whether their programs can crash, natural scientists would love to have simulators that quickly determine the energy-minimizing states of physical or biological systems, and university registrars would love to be able to automatically schedule classes in a way that optimally maximizes the use of the best classrooms. Why have no scalable algorithms been found for these problems? In the last part of the course, students learn that many important computational problems are inherently unsolvable they have no general algorithmic solution whatsoever. Others are solvable, but have no efficient algorithm the minimum computation time inherently grows exponentially with the size of the problem instance. Uncovering these phenomena (known as uncomputability and intractability, respectively) are unique benefits of a mathematically rigorous approach to algorithms. While we may sometimes be satisfied with empirical demonstrations of the performance of an algorithm we have found, a proof seems to be the only way to convince ourselves that there is no algorithm whatsoever. This course aims to give students the power of using mathematical abstraction and rigorous proof to understand computation. Thus equipped, students are able to design and use algorithms that apply to a wide variety of computational problems with confidence about their correctness and efficiency, as well as recognize when a problem may have no algorithmic solution. At the same time, students may gain an appreciation for the beautiful mathematical theory of computation that is independent of (indeed, predates) the technology on which it is implemented.
Prerequisites: Experience with proofs and discrete mathematics at the level of CSCI E-20, and (Python) programming at the level of CSCI E-50.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 1200. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:45-11:00 am starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-121
Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science
Adam Hesterberg PhD, Lecturer on Computer Science, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17114 | Section 1
Description
Computation occurs over a variety of substrates including silicon, neurons, DNA, the stock market, bee colonies, and many others. In this course we study the fundamental capabilities and limitations of computation, including the phenomenon of universality and the duality of code and data. We touch upon the following questions: Are there functions that cannot be computed? Are there true mathematical statements that can’t be proven? Are there encryption schemes that can’t be broken? Is randomness ever useful for computing? Can we use the quirks of quantum mechanics to speed up computation?
Prerequisites: CSCI E-20 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences course Computer Science 1210. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45-5 pm starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-125
Crypto and Blockchain: Understanding the Technology and the Challenges It Presents
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Daniel Garrie JD, Founder and Managing Director, Law and Forensics, LLC and JAMS Neutral Mediator
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26601 | Section 1
Description
This course aims to unpack the hype behind the cryptocurrency craze and give students the facts through the eyes of leading regulators, technologists, lawyers, and experts. Students learn what blockchains and cryptocurrencies are, how they can be used, and where the future of this technology is headed. The course covers multiple areas, including the basics of blockchain technology and how it works; how to create, transact, and store cryptocurrencies; regulatory and legal challenges that come with the adoption of a digital currency; surveys of how different regulatory agencies define securities in the US; and technical pieces that are underpinning secure software, system interactions with cryptocurrencies, and distributed consensus for reliability.
Prerequisites: An introductory finance or economics course.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-138
The Future of Humanity: A System Approach
Fawwaz Habbal PhD, Senior Lecturer on Applied Physics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26912 | Section 1
Description
It is irresistible to think that the human race will survive forever despite the many challenges Earth faces. However, humanity’s most pressing challenges are interconnected, and they embroil clashing interests and create multifaceted, complex systems challenges. These challenges defy simplification. Historically, reductionist approaches that focused on linear relations have failed to provide mitigations for these challenges. Addressing these complexities necessitates an integrative system-oriented approach that balances depth with breadth. The goal of this course is to give students an appreciation for the complexity of some of today’s most intractable problems, thereby enhancing their understanding of global challenges and equipping them with strategies and methodologies for navigating their future world. In addition, it encourages critical thinking about the nature of the challenges and the development of systems mitigations for the betterment of humanity. This multidisciplinary course is designed to be accessible to a diverse student body, regardless of their backgrounds, and without significant mathematical preparation. The course covers foundational concepts and techniques such as complexity, systems mapping, design, foresight, and forming human collations. Topics like sustainability, climate, epidemics, inequality, sociability, human displacement, and essential materials for civilization are the focal points for discussions. These discussions enable students to critically analyze trends and news, contributing to informed debates that could shape humanity’s future. Working in small groups, students employ various techniques for forward-looking analysis, to create comprehensive framework that integrate economic, political, technical, ethical, and social perspectives. This type of analysis of complex problems, students identify possible unintended consequences and roadblocks that might hinder progress. Students may not take both CSCI E-138 and ISMT E-138 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 306
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
CSCI E-140
Ethics of Cybersecurity
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Daniel Garrie JD, Founder and Managing Director, Law and Forensics, LLC and JAMS Neutral Mediator
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17125 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to methods, controls, and frameworks to study ethics. The course examines cybersecurity professionals’ ethical responsibilities at various levels and their responsibilities to companies, governments, and themselves. The course then examines decision frameworks and applies these frameworks to multiple scenarios, including the government’s recent cases against cybersecurity professionals for ethical violations. The course examines the interplay of privacy, integrity, confidentiality, and legal issues. Students work together to create a professional code of conduct as part of the final project and present it to the class.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-142
Foundations of Technology Risk Management and Assessment
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16682 | Section 1
Description
Technology risk refers to any risk of financial loss, disruption, or damage to the reputation of an organization as a result of the failure of its information technology (IT) systems. This course covers the foundations of technology risk management, IT risk identification, IT risk assessment, risk mitigation, and risk and control monitoring and reporting.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-144
Information System Forensics
Daniel Garrie JD, Founder and Managing Director, Law and Forensics, LLC and JAMS Neutral Mediator
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16955 | Section 1
Description
The course focuses on the principles and practices of forensic investigation and analysis of information in modern organizations and distributed information systems. Topics include studies of information processes, events, time measurement, causal factors, information volatility, technical and procedural forensic methods, rules of evidence, and case law.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-145
Networking at Scale
Minlan Yu PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26710 | Section 1
Description
Modern networks have grown to extremely large scale, connecting millions of servers, and high speed, with terabits per second to meet the needs of a variety of cloud applications in business and society (for example, social media, public health, and entertainment). In this course, we study not only basic concepts in networking but also how these concepts are applied and extended for networking at scale. We discuss the recent technology trends and design choices of performance, scalability, manageability, and cost faced by companies who own large-scale networks such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. This course includes lectures, system programming projects, and homework.
Prerequisites: System programming at the level of CSCI E-61.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Computer Science 1450. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15-12:30 pm starting January 28 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-147a
Fundamentals of the Law and Cybersecurity
Daniel Garrie JD, Founder and Managing Director, Law and Forensics, LLC and JAMS Neutral Mediator
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26594 | Section 1
Description
In a world with almost limitless data collection capability, where cyberattacks can propagate instantaneously and where the identity or location of an adversary may not be known, individuals and institutions are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks that disrupt productivity, jeopardize privacy, and threaten national security. This course examines legal, business, and policy challenges stemming from rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats. It begins with an introduction to cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberwarfare. It explores the national and international legal frameworks that govern cyberspace, including laws related to cyber crime, espionage, and war. The course also discusses how current laws affect corporations and provides detailed case studies regarding the state of cybersecurity in various countries. It looks at the limits of current law and the need for further policy evolution, as well as the real-world impact of different legal, business, and policy options.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-149a
Software Applications: Security Lifecycle Threats
Heather Hinton PhD, Chief Information Security Officer in Residence, Professional Association of CISOs
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16691 | Section 1
Description
You have been tasked with the design, development, and deployment of a new application, and there is more involved than just writing some code and testing it. How do we make sure that we have included security thinking throughout the entire product lifecycle from concept to design to development, testing, and deployment? And what happens when this product is now nearing end of life how do we make sure that we maintain its security posture even if we are no longer actively developing new features? What about all that data that has been collected by the product from users and customers? How do you know if you can handle a data breach or a cybersecurity compromise? How do you continue to protect the data your application processes and keep your application available and secure, and how do you prove this to your customers? How do you present- and future-proof against emerging technologies, regulations and industry trends? How do you make sure that you are set up to protect against threats from emerging technologies including machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing? We address regulations and enforcement actions, including the United States President’s Executive Order (EO) 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency’s (CISA’s) Secure by Design pledge, the US Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines on cybersecurity response, and global privacy regulations. The net is that you can be sure that whatever you do today may well not be enough to protect you tomorrow. In this course, we take a fictional product through the entire secure development lifecycle and explore how we think about and embed security into every phase, including those phases where security has traditionally been an afterthought. You apply these concepts and tradeoffs as you create and take your own software product through its end-to-end lifecycle. Threats and things to pay attention to include discussions drawn from the news (sadly there are always on-point things in the cybersecurity news that we can use as the basis of discussion), as well as CISA’s Zero Trust Maturity Model, Secure by Design requirements, guidelines for secure AI system development, CISA’s Known Exploitable Vulnerability (KEV) lists, threat modeling, risk management concepts, and whatever is topical at the time in the news.
Prerequisites: Familiarity or experience with security software development principles. A basic understanding of security threats, tools, and landscape.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-150
Introduction to GIS
Jeff Blossom MS, GIS Service Manager, Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17121 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the concepts and components of a geographic information system (GIS). It also teaches the essential skills of spatial data management, analysis, and visualization through the use of the ArcGIS software package. Upon completion of this course, students understand the fundamental concepts of a GIS including spatial data models, spatial analysis, and cartographic principles. They also gain hands-on training in spatial data collection, editing, transformation, and mapping, as well as spatial analysis operations such as location-based query, address geocoding, terrain and watershed analysis, spatial interpolation, spatio-temporal analysis, 3D modelling, and a number of other GIS modeling techniques. GIS technology has broad applications in the natural and social sciences, humanities, environmental studies, engineering, and management. Examples include wildlife habitat study, urban and regional planning, contagious disease monitoring, agriculture and forestry, environmental quality assessment, emergency management, transportation planning, and consumer and competitor analysis. This course introduces a few selected cases of GIS application in different disciplines. Students may not take both CSCI E-150 and ISMT E-150 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Access to a computer running Windows operating system. Familiarity with Word documents, spreadsheets, and browsing the internet.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
CSCI E-151
Introduction to Databases with SQL
Carter Zenke EdM, Senior Preceptor, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17011 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to databases using a language called SQL. Students learn how to create, read, update, and delete data with relational databases, which store data in rows and columns, and how to model real-world entities and relationships among them using tables with appropriate types, triggers, and constraints. The course covers how to normalize data to eliminate redundancies and reduce potential for errors and how to join tables together using primary and foreign keys. Students learn how to automate searches with views and expedite searches with indexes, as well as how to connect SQL with other languages like Python and Java. The course begins with SQLite for portability’s sake and ends with introductions to PostgreSQL and MySQL for scalability’s sake. Assignments are inspired by real-world datasets.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-151
Introduction to Databases with SQL
Carter Zenke EdM, Senior Preceptor, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26716 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to databases using a language called SQL. Students learn how to create, read, update, and delete data with relational databases, which store data in rows and columns, and how to model real-world entities and relationships among them using tables with appropriate types, triggers, and constraints. The course covers how to normalize data to eliminate redundancies and reduce potential for errors and how to join tables together using primary and foreign keys. Students learn how to automate searches with views and expedite searches with indexes, as well as how to connect SQL with other languages like Python and Java. The course begins with SQLite for portability’s sake and ends with introductions to PostgreSQL and MySQL for scalability’s sake. Assignments are inspired by real-world datasets.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-155
Networks and Cloud Security
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Kevin McKenzie EdD, Chief Operating Officer, CISOs Connect
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16963 | Section 1
Description
This course explores a wide range of topics within cybersecurity, such as computer operating systems, infrastructure, network, and internet security; intrusion detection and prevention; cryptography; basic attack methodologies; attack mitigation; information systems strategy and planning; security risk analysis and risk management; and information assurance, social engineering, and application security.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-155
Networks and Cloud Security
David Cass MBA, Vice President, Cyber and IT Risk, Supervision Group, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Kevin McKenzie EdD, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Ferguson Enterprises
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26603 | Section 1
Description
This course explores a wide range of topics within cybersecurity, such as computer operating systems, infrastructure, network, and internet security; intrusion detection and prevention; cryptography; basic attack methodologies; attack mitigation; information systems strategy and planning; security risk analysis and risk management; and information assurance, social engineering, and application security.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-158
Remote Sensing Data and Applications
Magaly Koch PhD, Research Associate Professor, Center for Remote Sensing, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26764 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to remote sensing data, methods and tools used for the study of global environmental change. The growing concern about human impact on the environment has led to the development of new observation and analysis tools to tackle and monitor types, magnitudes, and rates of environmental changes. Timely observations by Earth observation (EO) satellite systems and improved mapping and analysis tools are enabling a better understanding of the environmental interactions that underlie our Earth systems, which is critical for developing sustainable solutions. This course enables students to search and use satellite imagery in the context of a number of disciplines including environmental studies, ecology, geology, hydrology, disaster assessment and management, and public health. Students learn the fundamentals of the EO systems and the tools (geo-portals, web-based tools, and open-source software) to observe, monitor, and assess the changes occurring on or near the Earth’s surface. Hands-on activities explore human and physical dimensions of environmental change, environmental conservation and management, and disaster detection and mitigation. Students search and analyze global spatial data portals made available by various agencies and organizations (such as the United States Geological Survey, NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the European Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Potential topics covered in case studies and exercises include land use and cover change (urban sprawl, deforestation, and irrigated agriculture); extreme weather events (floods, droughts, wildfires, typhoons, and hurricanes); human and ecological health (aerosol and air pollution, wetland and forest health); food security and environmental sustainability (agriculture and water resources); and disaster assessment and management. Students may not take both CSCI E-158 and ISMT E-158 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of geospatial data or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required labs to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-159
Introduction to Cybersecurity
David J. Malan PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16996 | Section 1
Description
The course is an introduction to cybersecurity for technical and non-technical audiences alike. Students learn how to secure their accounts, data, systems, and software against today’s threats and how to recognize and evaluate tomorrow’s as well, both at home and at work. Students learn how to preserve their own privacy. Students learn to view cybersecurity not in absolute terms but relative, a function of risks and rewards (for an adversary) and costs and benefits (for them), and to recognize cybersecurity as a trade-off with usability itself. The course presents both high-level and low-level examples of threats, providing students with all they need to know technically to understand both. Assignments are inspired by real-world events.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-159
Introduction to Cybersecurity
David J. Malan PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26630 | Section 1
Description
The course is an introduction to cybersecurity for technical and non-technical audiences alike. Students learn how to secure their accounts, data, systems, and software against today’s threats and how to recognize and evaluate tomorrow’s as well, both at home and at work. Students learn how to preserve their own privacy. Students learn to view cybersecurity not in absolute terms but relative, a function of risks and rewards (for an adversary) and costs and benefits (for them), and to recognize cybersecurity as a trade-off with usability itself. The course presents both high-level and low-level examples of threats, providing students with all they need to know technically to understand both. Assignments are inspired by real-world events.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-161
Computational Bayesian Inference
Dmitry V. Kurochkin PhD, Senior Research Analyst, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Faculty Affairs, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26768 | Section 1
Description
The techniques of statistical inference for studying properties of data generating processes include method of moments, maximum likelihood estimation, Bayesian inference, and nonparametric statistics. Bayesian inference is an important approach to data analysis in which unknown parameters are treated as random variables whose probability distributions can be updated in light of new information. Bayesian inference is particularly advantageous for sequential data analysis and hypothesis testing when data are being collected sequentially. In this course, students learn foundations of Bayesian inference, including contemporary computational methods such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and get hands-on experience using R. Topics covered in the course include Bayes’ rule, prior and posterior distributions, Markov Chain (MC), MCMC methods, the celebrated Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, and the Gibbs sampler. Students may not take both CSCI E-161 and ISMT E-161 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Introductory probability and statistics and calculus equivalent to MATH E-15. Prior programming experience, preferably in R, is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections Fridays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-165
Data Systems
Stratos Idreos PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16957 | Section 1
Description
We are in the big data era and data systems sit in the critical path of everything we do. We are going through major transformations in business, science, and everyday life collecting and analyzing data changes everything and data systems provide the means to store and analyze a massive amount of data. This course is a comprehensive introduction to modern data systems. The primary focus is on modern trends that are shaping the data management industry right now such as column-store, systems for machine learning, hybrid systems, shared nothing architectures, cache-conscious algorithms, hardware/software co-design, main memory systems, adaptive indexing, stream processing, scientific data management, and key-value stores. We also study the history of data systems and traditional and seminal concepts and ideas such as the relational model, row-store database systems, optimization, indexing, concurrency control, recovery, and structured query language (SQL). We discuss both how data systems have evolved over the years and why, as well as how these concepts apply today and how data systems might evolve in the future. We focus on understanding concepts and trends rather than specific techniques that will soon be outdated.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-50 and CSCI E-61, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences course Computer Science 1650. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:45-11:00 am starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-176
Advanced Cloud Technology Management: Strategies for Successful Enterprise Deployment
Jeremy Wei EdD, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, iDox.ai
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26700 | Section 1
Description
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI), organizations are confronted with an urgent and critical demand for competent technology leaders to align technologies with internal and external business needs. This course is designed to address this pressing need, equipping professionals with the essential skills necessary for effective enterprise technology deployment and management. Through a comprehensive curriculum encompassing lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments, students can actively explore and evaluate various aspects of enterprise technology deployment, business-technology alignment, and organizational change decisions and implementations. By engaging in these learning activities, students gain valuable insights and practical knowledge that enable them to drive successful technology strategies within their organizations.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, February 22, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, February 23, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CSCI E-184
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Governance, and Laws
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26606 | Section 1
Description
Data science and artificial intelligence (AI) are creating new opportunities to improve businesses’ decision making, productivity, and competitiveness. However, data science and AI also create ethical and privacy concerns. For example, a classification algorithm can harm a sub-category of the population due to bias in the data used to develop and train the model. Data scientists and AI engineers often learn the concepts, tools, and techniques and then start to collect data and develop machine learning algorithms without realizing the unintended consequences of their data products. What obligation do data scientists and AI engineers have to be guardians of the data they collect and analyze? How do we ensure data and AI products’ fairness, interpretability, privacy, and security? This course focuses on ethics, governance, and laws specifically related to data science and AI. This course aims to provide a framework to help students understand the value tradeoffs at stake as they collect data, develop algorithms, and deal with some of the consequences. We use case studies, examples, and simulations to facilitate learning, critical thinking, debates, decision making, and problem solving in the context of data science, AI ethics, and governance.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-192
Modern Data Analytics
Edward S. Sumitra MS, Director, Software Engineering, Curriculum Associates
Marina Yu Popova ALM, Engineer, TechTarget
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26646 | Section 1
Description
Data is the new gold of the modern age. It affects all aspects of business and everyday lives: social media, communication, financial and health data, web and application logs, security, and threat mitigation all rely on the ability to collect, process, and analyze terabytes and petabytes from numerous data sources. Modern cloud-based frameworks and infrastructure serve as a foundation and an enabler for most services. In this course, students learn how to navigate this extraordinarily diverse and fast-changing field through popular tools and frameworks to process and analyze data, such as Spark 3 and related application programming interfaces (APIs) and frameworks (Spark Core, Spark SQL, Spark MLLib, and GraphX). We cover the basics of machine learning and deploying models to the cloud, including how to design and organize data using modern distributed data storage options (such as Redshift and BigQuery); elements of data lakes and data warehouse design and evolution to data mesh architectures; trends in unified data analytics and modern data stack frameworks; and integration with business intelligence (BI) tools for data visualization (Looker or Amazon Web Services [AWS] Quicksight). We work hands-on with many of the above frameworks on AWS and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) cloud. We primarily use Python for those assignments that require programming.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-88, CSCI E-88a, or CSCI E-90, and intermediate Python skills. Some familiarity with Docker and cloud environments. CSCI E-88c is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-1b
Computer Science for Business Professionals
David J. Malan PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16998 | Section 1
Description
This course is a variant of Harvard College’s introduction to computer science, CS50, designed especially for business professionals. Whereas CS50 itself takes a bottom-up approach, emphasizing mastery of low-level concepts and implementation details thereof, this course takes a top-down approach, emphasizing mastery of high-level concepts and design decisions related thereto. Ultimately this course empowers students to make technological decisions even if they are not technologists themselves. Topics include cloud computing, networking, privacy, scalability, security, and more, with an emphasis on web and mobile technologies. Students emerge from this course with first-hand appreciation of how it all works and all the more confident in the factors that should guide their decision making. This course is designed for managers, product managers, founders, and decision makers more generally.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is also available for noncredit as OpenCourseWare at cs50.edx.org/business.
CSCI E-1b
Computer Science for Business Professionals
David J. Malan PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25393 | Section 1
Description
This course is a variant of Harvard College’s introduction to computer science, CS50, designed especially for business professionals. Whereas CS50 itself takes a bottom-up approach, emphasizing mastery of low-level concepts and implementation details thereof, this course takes a top-down approach, emphasizing mastery of high-level concepts and design decisions related thereto. Ultimately this course empowers students to make technological decisions even if they are not technologists themselves. Topics include cloud computing, networking, privacy, scalability, security, and more, with an emphasis on web and mobile technologies. Students emerge from this course with first-hand appreciation of how it all works and all the more confident in the factors that should guide their decision making. This course is designed for managers, product managers, founders, and decision makers more generally.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is also available for noncredit as OpenCourseWare at cs50.edx.org/business.
CSCI E-20
Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
Michael Mitzenmacher PhD, Thomas J. Watson, Sr. Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University
Kitty Ascrizzi ME, Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17144 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches all the math not taught in the traditional calculus/linear algebra sequence that is needed to take more advanced courses in theory of computation and/or algorithms. That is, it teaches discrete mathematics, logic, and basic probability, but does not teach calculus or linear algebra. It also gives a good introduction to reading mathematical notation and writing formal proofs. A principal objective of the course is to not just teach a set of mathematical topics, but also to prepare students to think mathematically and to read and write mathematics.
Prerequisites: MATH E-10 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 20. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
CSCI E-20
Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
Rebecca Nesson PhD, Associate Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
Adam Hesterberg PhD, Lecturer on Computer Science, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26502 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches all the math not taught in the traditional calculus/linear algebra sequence that is needed to take more advanced courses in theory of computation and/or algorithms. That is, it teaches discrete mathematics, logic, and basic probability, but does not teach calculus or linear algebra. It also gives a good introduction to reading mathematical notation and writing formal proofs. A principal objective of the course is to not just teach a set of mathematical topics, but also to prepare students to think mathematically and to read and write mathematics.
Prerequisites: MATH E-10 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 20. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
CSCI E-210
Algorithms at the Ends of the Wire
Michael Mitzenmacher PhD, Thomas J. Watson, Sr. Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26781 | Section 1
Description
This is an advanced, rigorous course on recent research related to algorithms and data structures focusing on networks, data transmission, data storage, and data communication. Topics may run the breadth from the science that led to the founding of Google, data and video compression tools, coding, and data stream algorithms for network telemetry.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-124, or the equivalent, is very helpful.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 2241. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15 am-12:30 pm starting January 28 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CSCI E-22
Data Structures
David G. Sullivan PhD, Master Lecturer on Computer Science, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17117 | Section 1
Description
This course is a survey of fundamental data structures for information processing, including lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. It explores the implementation of these data structures (both array-based and linked representations) and examines classic algorithms that use these structures for tasks such as sorting, searching, and text compression. The Java programming language is used to demonstrate the topics discussed; and key notions of object-oriented programming, including encapsulation and abstract data types, are emphasized.
Prerequisites: A good working knowledge of Java (CSCI E-10b, or the equivalent).
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 205
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-22
Data Structures
David G. Sullivan PhD, Master Lecturer on Computer Science, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26616 | Section 1
Description
This course is a survey of fundamental data structures for information processing, including lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. It explores the implementation of these data structures (both array-based and linked representations) and examines classic algorithms that use these structures for tasks such as sorting, searching, and text compression. The Java programming language is used to demonstrate the topics discussed; and key notions of object-oriented programming, including encapsulation and abstract data types, are emphasized.
Prerequisites: A good working knowledge of Java (CSCI E-10b, or the equivalent).
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 306
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-221
Artificial Intelligence and Human Cognition: An Exploration
Fawwaz Habbal PhD, Senior Lecturer on Applied Physics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17131 | Section 1
Description
The study of artificial intelligence (AI) and human cognition is both a timely and dynamic field. This expansive, interdisciplinary domain encompasses computer science, statistics, and big data, as well as cognitive science, psychology, and philosophy. AI, recognized as transformative technology, has made remarkable achievements in comprehending natural language and emulating human reasoning, proving to be invaluable in augmenting human cognition. Nevertheless, there remain numerous unanswered questions about the nature of AI and its relationship with human thought. This course invites participants to embark on an intellectual journey exploring these intriguing questions. Students engage in stimulating discussions, reflective readings, and metaphorical explorations to probe the philosophical, ethical, and societal dimensions of AI’s relationship with human cognition. Emphasis is placed on fostering critical-thinking skills and conceptual comprehension rather than technical proficiency. Discussion topics encompass the concept of systems and paradigms, the essence of intelligence, computational approaches, and metaphors of mind and machine. Then human elements and AI, such as creativity, intuition, and cognitive bias are discussed. These are followed by discussions on ethical and philosophical issues built in the design of the AI or as result of using it. The concluding lectures center on human-machine collaboration and on contemplating the future directions of AI.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 306
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 49 students
CSCI E-23a
Introduction to Game Development
Colton T. Ogden Chief Technology Officer, From Zero LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16214 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the development of 2D and 3D interactive games. Students explore the design of such childhood games as Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, and Portal in a quest to understand how video games themselves are implemented. Via lectures and hands-on projects, the course explores principles of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, and collision detection using frameworks like Unity and L VE 2D, as well as languages like Lua and C#. By course’s end, students have programmed several of their own games and gained a thorough understanding of the basics of game design and development.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-7, CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, CSCI E-50, CS50x, or prior programming experience in any language.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is also available for noncredit as OpenCourseWare at cs50.edx.org/games.
CSCI E-25
Computer Vision
Stephen Elston PhD, Principal Consultant, Quantia Analytics LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26285 | Section 1
Description
Computer vision is an exciting and rapidly changing field. In a little over ten years, deep learning algorithms have revolutionized several aspects of computer vison. Applications that were infeasible or impractical a few years ago are now in routine production. These advances allow intelligent systems to interact with the real-world using vision. Examples of modern computer vision (CV) applications include digital photography, robotic vision, autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and scientific imaging. This course is a fast-moving survey of both fundamental theory of CV algorithms along with hands-on practical assignments applying these methods using Python. Successfully deploying CV applications often requires a combination of classical methods and state-of-the-art algorithms. Therefore, this course covers the classical image processing and CV techniques often found in practical CV solutions. From this foundation the course moves to the deep learning algorithms that have revolutionized CV. Students apply tools drawn from the extensive universe of Python CV related packages in the hands-on assignments to reinforce key principles. Major topics covered in the course include: algorithms used to prepare images, transform images, and extract features; statistical properties of images and methods of decomposition; machine learning algorithms for CV, including deep learning; classification of objects in images; motion in images and optical flow; object detection and tracking algorithms; models for stereo vision; segmentation of images; and generative models.
Prerequisites: Experience programming using the Python language, equivalent to CSCI E-7 or CSCI E-29. For people with limited Python programming skills, experience programming in any language, such as R, Matlab, or C++ is helpful. Some exposure to basic machine learning and data science methods, equivalent to CSCI E-101, is helpful. Knowledge of linear algebra, including eigenvalue-eigenvector decomposition and some knowledge of differential and integral calculus is essential.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections Mondays, 6-8 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-26
Introduction to C, Unix/Linux Programming, and Web Interfaces
Bruce Molay AB, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14294 | Section 1
Description
Designed for students with some programming experience, this course provides a rigorous introduction to writing and using software tools in the Unix and GNU/Linux programming environments to build command-line and web-based programs. The course teaches students how to write C programs and Unix shell scripts, and how to create web interfaces to those programs. Topics include text processing, memory management, files and pipes, and processes and protocols. Students write programs to analyze data and generate reports, use shell scripts to combine tools into applications, and use HTML and server-side Unix programming to provide web access to those applications and data.
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of a structured programming language such as C++, Java, JavaScript, or Python; a data structures course such as CSCI E-22.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
CSCI E-265
Big Data Systems
Stratos Idreos PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26522 | Section 1
Description
Big data is everywhere. A fundamental goal across modern business and science is to be able to utilize as many machines as possible, to consume as much information as possible and as fast as possible. The big challenge is how to turn data into useful knowledge. This is a moving target as both the underlying hardware and our ability to collect data evolve. In this course, we discuss how to design data systems, data structures, and algorithms for key data-driven areas, including relational systems, distributed systems, graph systems, noSQL, newSQL, machine learning, and neural networks. We see how they all rely on the same set of very basic concepts, and we learn how to synthesize efficient solutions for any problem across these areas using those basic concepts.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-61, and CSCI E-66 or CSCI E-165, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences companion course Computer Science 2650. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:45-11:00 am starting January 28 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and SEAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or SEAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-278
Applied Quantitative Finance and Machine Learning
MarcAntonio PhD, Head of Research and Data Science, Digital Data Design Institute, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26782 | Section 1
Description
This course is about how to lift the veil of an insider’s industry. Students learn how quantitative finance is applied in practice and utilized by the world’s largest investment banks, asset management firms, hedge funds, pension plans, and insurance companies. All these repeatedly and consistently generate billions in profits. This course covers the four major pillars of quantitative finance: data management and analytics, quantitative investment strategies, portfolio management, and risk management. We address cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in quantitative finance and describe essential industry domain knowledge and techniques which help students to enter the field of quantitative finance or advance in their current role.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-101 and the ability to code in Python and/or R.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-28
Unix/Linux Systems Programming
Bruce Molay AB, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24040 | Section 1
Description
As an introduction to the fundamental structure and services of the Unix and Linux operating systems, this course combines theory with programming at the system call level. Topics include files and directories, device control, terminal handling, processes and threads, signals, pipes, and sockets. Examples and exercises include directory management utilities, a shell, and a web server.
Prerequisites: Solid knowledge of C or C++ at the level of CSCI E-26 and a data structures course such as CSCI E-22; some experience using Unix helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
CSCI E-3
Introduction to Web Programming Using JavaScript
Larry Bouthillier MS, Executive Director, University of British Columbia Extended Learning
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15118 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introduction to web development by way of the essential language and runtime environment that powers modern web interfaces. Through a series of examples and projects, students learn basic programming concepts while building an understanding of the power and complexities of JavaScript, which can perplex even experienced web developers. The course provides a solid foundation in computer programming in JavaScript: syntax and data structures, conditionals, objects, scope and closures, Ajax, the DOM, and event handling. Students gain an understanding of the popular libraries that power rich web applications such as jQuery, VueJS, and others. Upon completion, students are prepared to use JavaScript libraries in their projects, write their own or extend existing JavaScript libraries, and build rich web applications using these powerful tools. No computer programming experience is required, though exposure to basic HTML and CSS is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-31
Web Application Development Using Node.js
Larry Bouthillier MS, Executive Director, University of British Columbia Extended Learning
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25038 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introduction to web application development by way of JavaScript and the node.js environment. Students learn the basics of server-side web development using the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, node.js). Using the MEAN stack, the course introduces students to models of software development that can apply to any web development environment, including the application server (node.js), Model View Controller (MVC) frameworks using Express.js, front-end frameworks (Angular), and databases (MongoDB). The course includes setting up a node.js environment, building representational state transfer (REST) application programming interfaces (APIs) and full-stack JavaScript applications using the MEAN stack, and following good application development practices. Experience with server-side application development is not required, though knowledge of client-side web development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) is important.
Prerequisites: Basic HTML/JavaScript. CSCI E-3 and CSCI E-12 are excellent preparations for this course.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-33a
Web Programming with Python and JavaScript
Brian Paul Yu EdM, Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16215 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the design and implementation of web applications with Python, JavaScript, and SQL using frameworks like Django, React, and Bootstrap. Topics include database design, scalability, security, and user experience. Through hands-on projects, students learn to write and use application programming interfaces (APIs), create interactive user interfaces (UIs), and leverage cloud services like GitHub and Heroku. By semester’s end, students emerge with knowledge and experience in the principles, languages, and tools that empower them to design and deploy applications on the internet.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-50, CS50x, or prior programming experience in any language.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is also available for noncredit as OpenCourseWare at cs50.edx.org/web.
CSCI E-33a
Web Programming with Python and JavaScript
Brian Paul Yu EdM, Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25184 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the design and implementation of web applications with Python, JavaScript, and SQL using frameworks like Django, React, and Bootstrap. Topics include database design, scalability, security, and user experience. Through hands-on projects, students learn to write and use application programming interfaces (APIs), create interactive user interfaces (UIs), and leverage cloud services like GitHub and Heroku. By semester’s end, students emerge with knowledge and experience in the principles, languages, and tools that empower them to design and deploy applications on the internet.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-50, CS50x, or prior programming experience in any language.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is also available for noncredit as OpenCourseWare at cs50.edx.org/web.
CSCI E-34
User Experience Engineering
David S. Platt ME, President, Rolling Thunder Computing, Inc.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26765 | Section 1
Description
Success in today’s software marketplace requires excellent user experience (UX). This course presents the foundations of excellent UX in a platform-agnostic manner. This course requires no programming. Instead, we focus on deciding what to program to make our users happier and more productive. Students learn to start with the user, not the toolkit. Who are our users and how do we represent them with personas? What problems are these users trying to solve, what would they consider a good solution, and how do we represent that with stories? How should the user interaction flow and how do we represent it with quick, inexpensive mockups? How can we test different designs on users? How can we learn what users really do, instead of what they can remember or will admit to? Students work on a term project, performing all steps of the UX design process. We use modern design tools such as Figma. We examine in-depth case studies and hear from industry-leading guest speakers. Students finish this course with a starter portfolio to show potential employers.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-39
Design Principles in React
Nico Tejera Aguirre ALM, Chief Technology Officer, Tolemi
Brandon Cloutier
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16734 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches the fundamental principles of ReactJS and TypeScript, equipping students with the skills needed to create complex, scalable, and robust web applications. Additionally, we explore essential design principles such as color theory, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design patterns, and user-friendly interfaces. Upon completion of this course, students gain a strong foundation in ReactJS, TypeScript, and develop the capability to create intuitive web applications.
Prerequisites: Proficiency in Javascript, HTML, and CSS.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-40
Communication Protocols and Internet Architectures
Len Evenchik SM, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14296 | Section 1
Description
Networks are now too large, complex, and diverse to be built on an ad hoc basis. This course provides a structured approach to the design, analysis, and implementation of networks and protocols. We study various protocols, including TCP/IP, WWW/HTTP, e-mail/SMTP, domain name system (DNS), multimedia protocols for voice and video, routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, and BGP), and the IEEE 802 LAN protocol suite. In each case, the protocol’s functions and the underlying reference model are discussed. LAN architecture and design, network security and encryption, and the design and analysis of both private networks and the internet are presented. The course discusses new areas of work, including real-time voice and video on the internet, Cloud network architecture, gigabit wireless networks, internet of things (IoT), software-defined networks (SDN), and network functions virtualization (NFV).
Prerequisites: Programming or networking experience; a basic understanding of the principles of communication protocols.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, September 9-December 16, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 304
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 48 students
CSCI E-40
Communication Protocols and Internet Architectures
Len Evenchik SM, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24033 | Section 1
Description
Networks are now too large, complex, and diverse to be built on an ad hoc basis. This course provides a structured approach to the design, analysis, and implementation of networks and protocols. We study various protocols, including TCP/IP, WWW/HTTP, e-mail/SMTP, domain name system (DNS), multimedia protocols for voice and video, routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, and BGP), and the IEEE 802 LAN protocol suite. In each case, the protocol’s functions and the underlying reference model are discussed. LAN architecture and design, network security and encryption, and the design and analysis of both private networks and the internet are presented. The course discusses new areas of work, including real-time voice and video on the internet, Cloud network architecture, gigabit wireless networks, internet of things (IoT), software-defined networks (SDN), and network functions virtualization (NFV).
Prerequisites: Programming or networking experience; a basic understanding of the principles of communication protocols.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-49
Cloud Security
Ramesh Nagappan MS, Principal Security Technologist, Amazon
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16960 | Section 1
Description
Cloud computing infrastructure has become a mainstay of the information technology industry, opening the possibility for on-demand, highly elastic, and infinite computer power with scalability and supporting the delivery of mission-critical secure enterprise applications and services. This course provides ground-up coverage on the high level concepts of cloud landscape, architectural principles, development techniques, design patterns, and real-world security best practices as applied to cloud service providers and consumers. It also addresses regulatory compliance requirements critical to design, implement, deliver, and manage secure cloud-based services. The course delves into the secure cloud-based application development processes that build on DevOps and DevSecOps processes, proactively identifying and mitigating risks with threat models, protection, and isolation of physical and logical infrastructures including computer storage (cloud-hosted virtualization, containerization using Docker and Kubernetes) and network topologies; comprehensive data protection with applied cryptography; end-to-end identity management and access control; monitoring, auditing, intrusion detection, and incident response processes; fraud detection (using machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques); and complying with industry and regulatory mandates. The course leverages cloud computing security guidelines set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), and Cloud Security Alliance (CSA).
Prerequisites: One of the following courses: CSCI E-7, CSCI E-12, CSCI E-33a, CSCI E-45a, CSCI E-45b, CSCI E-46, CSCI E-90, CSCI E-94, or the equivalent. Additional web application development and/or systems administration knowledge will be very helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Optional sections Saturdays, 2-3 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-50
Intensive Introduction to Computer Science
David J. Malan PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14290 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches students how to solve problems, both with and without code, with an emphasis on correctness, design, and style. Topics include computational thinking, abstraction, algorithms, data structures, and computer science more generally. Problem sets are inspired by the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. More than teach students how to program in one language, this course teaches how to program fundamentally and ultimately how to teach oneself new programming languages. The course starts with a traditional but omnipresent language called C that underlies today’s newer languages, through which students learn not only about functions, variables, conditionals, and loops, but also how computers themselves work underneath the hood, memory and all. The course then transitions to Python, a higher-level language that students understand all the more because of C. Toward term’s end, the course introduces SQL, via which students can store data in databases, along with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, via which students can create web and mobile applications. The course culminates in a final project. Students can count two of the following three courses CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, and CSCI E-50 toward a degree. They may not count all three toward a degree.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences course Computer Science 50 (CS50). Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays, 1:30-4:15 pm starting September 9 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions. This course is also available for noncredit via EdX.
CSCI E-50
Intensive Introduction to Computer Science
David J. Malan PhD, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24107 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches students how to solve problems, both with and without code, with an emphasis on correctness, design, and style. Topics include computational thinking, abstraction, algorithms, data structures, and computer science more generally. Problem sets are inspired by the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. More than teach students how to program in one language, this course teaches how to program fundamentally and ultimately how to teach oneself new programming languages. The course starts with a traditional but omnipresent language called C that underlies today’s newer languages, through which students learn not only about functions, variables, conditionals, and loops, but also how computers themselves work underneath the hood, memory and all. The course then transitions to Python, a higher-level language that students understand all the more because of C. Toward term’s end, the course introduces SQL, via which students can store data in databases, along with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, via which students can create web and mobile applications. The course culminates in a final project. Students can count two of the following three courses CSCI E-10a, CSCI E-10b, and CSCI E-50 toward a degree. They may not count all three toward a degree.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences course Computer Science 50 (CS50). This course is also available for noncredit via EdX.
CSCI E-59
Designing and Developing Relational and NoSQL Databases
Gregory Thomas Misicko ALM, Engineering Manager, NetApp Cloud Solutions
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25690 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the design and development of databases using a very practical and hands-on approach to learning. Students begin by learning how to set up and configure a database server, followed by a thorough understanding of how to design and develop a real-world database built for stability and performance. Structured query language (SQL) is taught starting from the most basic level and leading up to an advanced level. As many projects today evaluate NoSQL options, students also learn about the more popular NoSQL options available and work with MQL and Cypher.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:00pm-10:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-597
Data Science Precapstone
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Stephen Elston PhD, Principal Consultant, Quantia Analytics LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25390 | Section 1
Description
This course helps students develop academically strong, team-based capstone proposals. Working in teams is a critical industry skill that must be mastered for professional success. The course is mandatory for candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, data science, who wish to register for CSCI E-599a in the spring. It prepares students to explore interdisciplinary capstone topics from a variety of industries and areas. Through workshops and collaboration with industry partners and other capstone students with experience from different industries and disciplines, students identify capstone topics, apply the appropriate data science methods, and use data to advance innovative solutions. Students receive guidance on how to work effectively in teams, refine project proposals, and build the domain knowledge necessary in their selected area. By the end of the course, each team submits a detailed capstone proposal, including project rationale, literature reviews, methods, and expected outcomes, which they intend to execute during CSCI E-599a.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, data science, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, CSCI E-599a, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 2:00pm-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
CSCI E-597c
Systems Engineering Precapstone
Richard E. Joltes ALM, Senior Content Analytics Architect, US Department of Transportation
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26930 | Section 1
Description
This course helps students develop academically strong, team-based capstone proposals. It is mandatory for candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, systems engineering, who wish to register for CSCI E-599c in the coming spring term. Students develop a capstone proposal through workshops, collaboration, research, and working with industry partners. They receive guidance on refining project proposals, building the domain knowledge necessary in their selected area, and conducting user research. By the end of the course, each team submits a detailed research proposal, including project rationale, methods, and expected outcomes, which they intend to execute during the capstone course.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, systems engineering, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, CSCI E-599c, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their final, one-and-only course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Registration in CSCI E-599c immediately following this course is a mandatory degree requirement. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
CSCI E-599
Software Engineering Capstone
Peter V. Henstock PhD, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lead, AI Institute, Incyte
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24531 | Section 1
Description
This course examines how current software engineering methods approach structuring and managing software projects, from requirements gathering to production release. Formal methods in software engineering have a long history, from the older waterfall method to the current agile methods. Students collaborate in small teams to define an architectural model and a project plan, and then implement a system while practicing techniques in software engineering. They present to the Extension School’s Master of Liberal Arts, software engineering faculty committee based on the course project.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, software engineering, capstone track. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed nine degree courses including the software design requirement, and have proficiency in programming. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 31 students
CSCI E-599a
Data Science Capstone
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Stephen Elston PhD, Principal Consultant, Quantia Analytics LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16091 | Section 1
Description
This course is the culmination of the Master of Liberal Arts, data science, where student teams execute their capstone proposal from CSCI E-597. It gives students the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and other students on complex capstone topics using their data science, communications, negotiation, leadership, and project management skills. At the completion of the capstone, students can demonstrate their ability to think critically about data, communicate with diverse audiences, and advance innovation in ways that benefit society.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, data science. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the Harvard Summer School precapstone course, CSCI S-597, in the previous summer term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course and CSCI E-599B may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they will do so alongside students in the other course. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 53 students
CSCI E-599a
Data Science Capstone
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Stephen Elston PhD, Principal Consultant, Quantia Analytics LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25391 | Section 1
Description
This course is the culmination of the Master of Liberal Arts, data science, where student teams execute their capstone proposal from CSCI E-597. It gives students the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and other students on complex capstone topics using their data science, communications, negotiation, leadership, and project management skills. At the completion of the capstone, students can demonstrate their ability to think critically about data, communicate with diverse audiences, and advance innovation in ways that benefit society.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, data science. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, CSCI E-597, in the previous January term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
CSCI E-599b
Cybersecurity Capstone
Bruce Huang EdD, PhD, Director of Master’s Degree Program in Information Technology, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16989 | Section 1
Description
This course is the culmination of the Master of Liberal Arts, cybersecurity, where student teams execute their capstone proposal from CSCI S-597b. It gives students the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and other students on complex capstone topics using their cybersecurity, communications, negotiation, leadership, and project management skills. At the completion of the capstone, students can demonstrate their ability to think critically about cybersecurity, communicate with diverse audiences, and advance innovation in ways that benefit society.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, cybersecurity. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, CSCI S-597b, in the previous summer term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course and CSCI E-599A may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they will do so alongside students in the other course. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
CSCI E-599c
Systems Engineering Capstone
Richard E. Joltes ALM, Senior Content Analytics Architect, US Department of Transportation
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17150 | Section 1
Description
This course is the culmination of the Master of Liberal Arts, systems engineering, where student teams execute their capstone proposal from CSCI S-597c. It gives students the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and other students on complex capstone topics using their systems engineering, communications, negotiation, leadership, and project management skills. At the completion of the capstone, students can demonstrate their ability to think critically about systems, communicate with diverse audiences, and advance innovation in ways that benefit society.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, systems engineering. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the Harvard Summer School precapstone course, CSCI S-597c, in the previous summer term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
CSCI E-599c
Capstone in Systems Engineering
Richard E. Joltes ALM, Senior Content Analytics Architect, US Department of Transportation
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26929 | Section 1
Description
This course is the culmination of the Master of Liberal Arts, systems engineering, where student teams execute their capstone proposal from CSCI E-597c. It gives students the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and other students on complex capstone topics using their systems engineering, communications, negotiation, leadership, and project management skills. At the completion of the capstone, students can demonstrate their ability to think critically about data, communicate with diverse audiences, and advance innovation in ways that benefit society.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, systems engineering. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed CSCI E-597c in the previous January session. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
CSCI E-5a
Introduction to Programming with R
Carter Zenke EdM, Senior Preceptor, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17110 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to programming using a language called R, a popular language for statistical computing and graphics in data science and other domains. Students learn to use RStudio, a popular integrated development environment (IDE). They learn to represent real-world data with vectors, matrices, arrays, lists, and data frames, and to filter data with conditions, via which one can analyze subsets of data. We apply functions and loops, via which students can manipulate and summarize data sets, and write functions to modularize code and raise exceptions when something goes wrong. The course also covers how to tidy data with R’s tidyverse and create colorful visualizations with R’s grammar of graphics. By course’s end, students learn to package, test, and share R code for others to use. Assignments are inspired by real-world data sets.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-61
Systems Programming and Machine Organization
Eddie Kohler PhD, Microsoft Professor of Computer Science and Harvard College Professor, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17148 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the fundamentals of computer systems programming. It provides a solid background in data representation, systems programming, operating systems, and machine organization and design. The course centers on C++ programming, with some assembly language. Topics include data representation, assembly and machine programming, storage hierarchy and caching, kernel programming and virtual memory, process management, and concurrency (including threads and networking).
Prerequisites: CSCI E-26, CSCI E-50, or some experience programming in C++ or C.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences course Computer Science 61. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:15-3:30 pm starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-63c
Elements of Data Science and Statistical Learning with R
Andrey Sivachenko PhD, Scientist IV, Head of Bioinformatics, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Lab
Victor A. Farutin PhD, Senior Director, Computational Biology, Verve Therapeutics
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15123 | Section 1
Description
One of the broad goals of data science is examining raw data with the purpose of identifying its structure and trends, and of deriving conclusions and hypotheses from it. In the modern world awash with data, data analytics is more important than ever to fields ranging from biomedical research, space and weather science, finance, business operations and production, to marketing and social media applications. This course introduces various statistical learning methods and their applications. The R programming language, a very popular and powerful platform for scientific and statistical analysis and visualization, is introduced and used throughout the course. We discuss the fundamentals of statistical testing and learning, and cover topics of linear and non-linear regression, clustering and classification, support vector machines, and decision trees. The datasets used in the examples are drawn from diverse domains such as finance, genomics, and customer sales and survey data.
Prerequisites: Good programming skills, preferably in R or solid experience in other languages; good understanding of probability and statistics at the level of CSCI E-106 or STAT E-109. See the syllabus for the recommended pretest.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 200 students
CSCI E-63c
Elements of Data Science and Statistical Learning with R
Andrey Sivachenko PhD, Scientist IV, Head of Bioinformatics, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Lab
Victor A. Farutin PhD, Senior Director, Computational Biology, Verve Therapeutics
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24748 | Section 1
Description
One of the broad goals of data science is examining raw data with the purpose of identifying its structure and trends, and of deriving conclusions and hypotheses from it. In the modern world awash with data, data analytics is more important than ever to fields ranging from biomedical research, space and weather science, finance, business operations and production, to marketing and social media applications. This course introduces various statistical learning methods and their applications. The R programming language, a very popular and powerful platform for scientific and statistical analysis and visualization, is introduced and used throughout the course. We discuss the fundamentals of statistical testing and learning, and cover topics of linear and non-linear regression, clustering and classification, support vector machines, and decision trees. The datasets used in the examples are drawn from diverse domains such as finance, genomics, and customer sales and survey data.
Prerequisites: Good programming skills, preferably in R or solid experience in other languages; good understanding of probability and statistics at the level of CSCI E-106 or STAT E-109. See the syllabus for the recommended pretest.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 200 students
CSCI E-66
Database Systems
Cody Doucette PhD, Software Engineer, Cloudflare
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17149 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the fundamental concepts of database systems. Topics include data models (entity-relationship and relational); query languages (relational algebra and SQL); implementation techniques of database management systems (index structures, concurrency control, recovery, and query processing); management of semistructured and complex data; and distributed and noSQL databases.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-22 or the equivalent, and strong programming skills in Java.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-7
Introduction to Computer Science with Python
Henry H. Leitner PhD, Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16959 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to computer science for students without prior programming experience. It explores problem-solving and data analysis using Python, a programming language with a simple syntax and a powerful set of libraries. This course covers basic data types and collections (lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets), control flow, recursion, information hiding, and encapsulation using classes and objects, and introduces the analysis of program performance. The course teaches several mathematical, statistical, and computational methods that enable students to think critically about data as it is employed in various fields of inquiry. Other topics include the social and ethical dilemmas presented by such issues as software unreliability, algorithmic bias, and invasions of privacy.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-7
Introduction to Computer Science with Python
Henry H. Leitner PhD, Senior Lecturer on Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25531 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to computer science for students without prior programming experience. It explores problem-solving and data analysis using Python, a programming language with a simple syntax and a powerful set of libraries. This course covers basic data types and collections (lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets), control flow, recursion, information hiding, and encapsulation using classes and objects, and introduces the analysis of program performance. The course teaches several mathematical, statistical, and computational methods that enable students to think critically about data as it is employed in various fields of inquiry. Other topics include the social and ethical dilemmas presented by such issues as software unreliability, algorithmic bias, and invasions of privacy.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Computer Science 1. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-11:45 am starting January 28 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
CSCI E-71
Agile Software Development
Richard Kasperowski ALB, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Alli Connect
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16441 | Section 1
Description
This course is an immersive experience in agile software development. We study the technical, cultural, and social aspects of agile, including agility in software product development; business agility, including scrum, agile product inception, user stories, product backlog construction, definition of done and definition of ready, estimating, agile forecasting, project management, sprint planning, and retrospectives; technical agility, including pair programming, mob programming, test-driven development, working with legacy code, refactoring for clean code, behavior-driven development, continuous integration, continuous delivery, and DevOps; and advanced agility, including high-performance teams, core protocols for psychological safety and emotional intelligence, agile at large scale, and introducing and sustaining agile in your organization.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-22 or the equivalent. Students must have a computer suitable for software development.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Friday, September 13, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, September 14, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, September 15, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
CSCI E-80
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
Brian Paul Yu EdM, Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16393 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the concepts and algorithms at the foundation of modern artificial intelligence, diving into the ideas that give rise to technologies like game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation. Through hands-on projects, students gain exposure to the theory behind graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, machine learning, large language models, and other topics in artificial intelligence as they incorporate them into their own Python programs. By course’s end, students emerge with experience in libraries for machine learning as well as knowledge of artificial intelligence principles that enable them to design intelligent systems of their own.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-50, CS50x, or at least one year of experience with Python.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-80
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
Brian Paul Yu EdM, Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25793 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the concepts and algorithms at the foundation of modern artificial intelligence, diving into the ideas that give rise to technologies like game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation. Through hands-on projects, students gain exposure to the theory behind graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, machine learning, large language models, and other topics in artificial intelligence as they incorporate them into their own Python programs. By course’s end, students emerge with experience in libraries for machine learning as well as knowledge of artificial intelligence principles that enable them to design intelligent systems of their own.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-50, CS50x, or at least one year of experience with Python.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
CSCI E-82
Advanced Machine Learning, Data Mining, and Artificial Intelligence
Peter V. Henstock PhD, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lead, AI Institute, Incyte
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15407 | Section 1
Description
The course is intended to combine the theory with the hands-on practice of solving modern industry problems with an emphasis on image processing and natural language processing. Topics include outlier detection, advanced clustering techniques, deep learning, dimensionality reduction methods, frequent item set mining, and recommender systems. Topics also considered include reinforcement learning, graph-based models, search optimization, and time series analysis. The course uses Python as the primary language, although later projects can include R and other languages. The course also introduces some industry standard tools to prepare students for artificial intelligence jobs.
Prerequisites: This course builds upon topics covered in CSCI E-63c and CSCI E-109a with either CSCI E-63c or CSCI E-109a as a prerequisite. Students should be proficient in Python including Pandas and readily able to load, parse, and manipulate data. A course such as CSCI E-7 or a course on Python and machine learning would be useful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
CSCI E-83
Fundamentals of Data Science
Stephen Elston PhD, Principal Consultant, Quantia Analytics LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16768 | Section 1
Description
This course builds on CSCI E-101, giving students a solid foundation for advanced data modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). The course focuses on the modern computational statistical methods underpinning advanced data science. In the twenty-first century, these powerful, computationally intensive models are both practical and widely used. Such models enable us to explore and model the complex datasets commonly encountered in the real world. The course employs a combination of theory and hands-on experience using Python programming tools. The focus is on foundational computational statistical algorithms, statistical inference methods, and effective visualization methods. The hands-on component of the course uses the Python packages, NumPy, Pandas, Seaborn, Statsmodels, and PyMC3, along with selected other open-source packages. The focus of this course is on methods to address the exploration, inference, and modeling changes arising from the analysis of increasingly complex datasets. Three approaches to large scale computational statistical inference are addressed: maximum likelihood, modern resampling methods, and Bayesian models. The properties and behavior of the rich family of linear models and Bayesian models, foundational to many statistical, machine learning and AI algorithms are surveyed. Additionally, time series models are explored.
Prerequisites: Some exposure to basic machine learning and data science methods, equivalent to CSCI E-101. Experience programming using the Python language, equivalent to CSCI E-7 or CSCI E-29. For people with limited Python programming experience, some experience programming, in any language, such as R, Matlab, or C++, is essential. Knowledge of linear algebra, including eigenvalue-eigenvector decomposition and a bit of differential and integral calculus is essential.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections Thursdays, 6-9 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-87
Big Data and Machine Learning in Healthcare Applications
Oleg Pianykh PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, and Director of Medical Analytics, Massachusetts General Hospital
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17070 | Section 1
Description
While large volumes of digital healthcare data have been captured for decades, we are only starting to mine them for information that can significantly advance healthcare delivery and quality. Built from many practical experiences, this course teaches students how to apply big data analytics and machine learning to the most challenging problems found in modern hospitals. We cover several important areas operational, clinical, and imaging using hands-on examples and real problems. Students not only learn how to build efficient data models, but also how to implement them in different healthcare environments, avoiding the most common pitfalls and achieving meaningful results.
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of statistics and machine learning. Programming in Python or Matlab is required for most homework assignments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
CSCI E-88c
Programming in Scala for Big Data Systems
Edward S. Sumitra MS, Director, Software Engineering, Curriculum Associates
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16769 | Section 1
Description
Scala is a strongly typed, versatile programming language that has emerged as one of the de-facto languages in big data systems. Scala supports multiple programming paradigms, including familiar object-oriented programming (OOP) and functional programming (FP) techniques. This hands-on course covers types and data structures, build tools, functional programming concepts with higher-order functions, pattern matching, concurrency, and parallel processing. Popular libraries in the Scala ecosystem are introduced and applied. Students learn unit testing libraries and reinforce techniques taught in lectures by completing weekly programming assignments. Students apply their knowledge to develop batch and stream processing applications in Apache Spark and Apache Beam in the latter part of the course.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with a programming language like Java, Python, Javascript, C#, or C++.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-89
Deep Learning
Zoran B. Djordjevic PhD, Senior Enterprise Architect, Nishava, Inc.
Rahul B. Joglekar BSc, ALM, Enterprise Technical Architect, Point32Health
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16392 | Section 1
Description
The ability of computerized systems to acquire vast amounts of data and display them in informative ways raises our expectations for fast, accurate identification or recognition of events or objects and for predictions about future events. Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have fulfilled those needs to some degree. Over the last 10 years, a versatile architectural style of artificial neural networks called deep learning has emerged as the most promising answer to those expectations. Today, deep learning is the primary technique for analysis and resolution of many issues in data analyses and natural sciences, linguistics, and engineering. We use deep learning for image classification, manipulation and generation, speech recognition and synthesis, natural language translation, sound and music manipulation and generation, navigation of self-driving cars, and many other activities. In this course, students master several key architectures for implementation of deep learning networks, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), long short-term memory networks (LSTMs), autoencoders, generative adversarial networks (GANs), transformers with attention, and graph neural networks. We provide references to many practical applications where those architectures are successfully used. The course starts with a review of the theoretical foundations of the neural networks approach to machine learning including auto-differentiation and backpropagation. The emphasis of the course is on practical applications of deep learning using Keras (packages within TensorFlow 2.x framework) and PyTorch.
Prerequisites: Proficiency with Python. We assume no familiarity with Linux and introduce all essential Linux features and commands. Students need access to a computer with a 64-bit operating system and at least 8 GB of RAM. Having a machine with NVIDIA card is a plus but not required. All complex examples given as assignments could be run on Google Collaboratory.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections Saturdays, 1-2 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-89b
Introduction to Natural Language Processing
Dmitry V. Kurochkin PhD, Senior Research Analyst, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Faculty Affairs, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17133 | Section 1
Description
Students are introduced to modern techniques of natural language processing (NLP) and learn foundations of text classification, named entity recognition, parsing, language modeling including text generation, topic modeling, and machine translation. Methods for representing text as data studied in the course are tokenization, n-grams, bag of words, term frequency-inverse document frequency (TD-IDF) weighting, word embeddings like Word2Vec and GloVe, autoencoders, t-SNE, character embeddings, and topic modeling. The machine learning algorithms for NLP covered in the course are recurrent neural networks (RNNs) including long short-term memory (LSTM), conditional random fields (CRFs), bidirectional LSTM with a CRF (BiLSTM-CRF), generative adversarial networks (GANs), attention models, transformers, bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT), latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), and structural topic modeling (STM). Students get hands-on experience using both Python and R.
Prerequisites: Students are expected to have taken Python programming course equivalent to CSCI E-7. Most of the problems will be solved in Python. The structural topic modeling will be performed using the ‘stm’ R package. Prior programming experience in R is helpful, but not required. In addition, basic knowledge of calculus, probability, and statistics is expected. Students need to have access to a computer with a 64-bit operating system and at least 8 GB of RAM. GPU is highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections Fridays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-8b
Mobile GIS
Pinde Fu PhD, Team Lead of Platform Engineering and Senior Principal Software Developer Engineer, Esri
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26759 | Section 1
Description
Mobile first and the post-PC era aren’t merely buzzwords; they represent today’s reality. Within the geospatial information systems (GIS) industry, mobile internet and mobile GIS have profoundly transformed how we acquire, visualize, analyze, and disseminate geospatial information. With their ubiquitous use and location-aware capability, the mobile platform has emerged as the dominant client of enterprise GIS across various industries, making mobile GIS crucial to the business operations and future success of countless organizations. Consumer mobile GIS applications, such as Google Maps, Google Earth, Waze, and Zillow, have put the basic GIS capabilities in everyone’s hands. This course focuses on enterprise mobile GIS, which offers a much wider variety of capabilities. It provides principles and detailed tutorials to teach today’s cutting-edge mobile GIS technologies. Using a no-code/low-code approach, this course makes mobile GIS easy and enjoyable to learn. Students can immediately become productive in creating enterprise GIS solutions, ranging from online and offline spatial data visualization, data collection, location sharing, and workforce coordination, to integration with enterprise workflows. It is a comprehensive resource covering Esri’s suite of mobile technologies, including native-based applications like ArcGIS Survey123, Field Maps, and QuickCapture, and browser-based applications such as ArcGIS Dashboards and Experience Builder. Moreover, students can also acquire advanced knowledge to extend mobile GIS using Arcade, Webhooks, HTML/CSS/JavaScript, and ArcGIS Mobile SDKs. The course explores popular applications, including location-based services (LBS), volunteered geographic information (VGI), 3D mapping, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR).
Prerequisites: Students must have a computer (Windows or MacOS) and a smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android).
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-90
Cloud Services, Infrastructure, and Computing
Gregory Thomas Misicko ALM, Engineering Manager, NetApp Cloud Solutions
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15865 | Section 1
Description
Off-premise/cloud services, infrastructure, and computing have replaced in-house data centers across businesses of every size. Businesses rely on cloud services because of their extremely high efficiency, ease of setup, and their ability to scale with demand. It is essential for today’s engineers to understand how robust architectures can be implemented on a cloud platform, and to understand in depth which services and tools are available for them to use. This course does not require any prior experience working with cloud services and does not require any programming skills.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:00pm-10:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-93
Computer Architecture
James L. Frankel PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University and President, Frankel and Associates, Incorporated
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17128 | Section 1
Description
This course is a study of the fundamental concepts in the design and organization of modern computer systems. Topics include computer organization, instruction-set design, processor design, memory system design, timing issues, interrupts, microcoding, and various performance-enhancing parallel techniques such as prefetching, pipelining, branch prediction, superscalar execution, and massive-parallel processing. We also study existing architectures using complex instruction set computer (CISC), reduced instruction set computer (RISC), vector, data parallel, and very long instruction word (VLIW) designs. An extensive lab project encompassing the design and implementation of a new instruction set and CPU using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is required of all students.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of data structures and programming experience (CSCI E-22, or the equivalent) with a Boolean/digital logic course preferred, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:00pm-10:15pm, 53 Church Street L01
Required sections Tuesdays, 6:45-7:45 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CSCI E-94
Fundamentals of Cloud Computing and OpenAI with Microsoft Azure
Joe Ficara ASEE, Lead Architect, The Predictive Index
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25152 | Section 1
Description
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to cloud and serverless computing, focusing on Microsoft Azure’s key services and Azure’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform. We contrast the challenges and benefits of cloud computing, serverless cloud computing, and traditional self-managed cloud and on-premises solutions. Students learn the fundamental architecture and design patterns necessary to build geographically distributed, highly available, and scalable solutions using key services in the Microsoft Azure platform. Students learn about the OpenAI offerings in Azure and how to responsibly leverage them in their cloud-native solutions, with hands-on experience in prompt engineering, fine tuning, and embedding. We cover the costs and benefits of each and how to pragmatically apply them. Students engage in hands-on learning architecting secure, scalable, geo-redundant, and cost-effective infrastructure and deploying that infrastructure to Microsoft Azure using infrastructure as code via the Bicep language. Students learn approaches for building solutions that gracefully degrade when non-essential functionality is unavailable. Students learn to implement defense in depth using network segmentation (VNETs) and additional best practices. A wide range of Microsoft Azure Services are covered including Azure Front Door, Azure App Services, Azure App Configuration, KeyVault, Azure SQL, Azure API management; serverless services including Azure Functions, and Azure Logic Applications; Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) for enterprise identity management; Azure B2C for low-cost identity management on consumer-centric software-as-a-service offerings; and Azure Storage, Azure Service Bus, Azure Event Grid, Azure Event Hub, Azure Cosmos database, and Azure Cognitive Search. In addition to Azure services and guidance, the course covers implementing processes to streamline development, such as continuous integration, continuous deployment (CICD), and automated testing. Students also learn how to test their applications and infrastructure at scale using Azure Load Testing. Coverage includes always-up architecture and deployment strategies, rollback strategies, A/B testing, testing in production, monitoring, distributed tracing, alerting, performance tuning, snapshot debugging in production, and health analysis using Application Insights and Azure Monitor. Additionally, students learn strategies and architecture for ensuring data sovereignty concerns are addressed in their solutions.
Prerequisites: Basic C#, C++, Python, or Java development skills. CSCI E-10a or the equivalent. This course involves a substantial amount of programming in C# and cross platform.NET (6 or above).
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 65 students
CSCI E-95
Compiler Design and Implementation
James L. Frankel PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University and President, Frankel and Associates, Incorporated
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26767 | Section 1
Description
This course is a study of the theory and practice required for the design and implementation of interpreters and compilers for programming languages. Coursework ranges from the abstract, such as categorization of grammars and languages, to the concrete, such as specific algorithms used in compilers and practical performance issues. Topics include lexical analysis, parsing, symbol table generation, type checking, error detection, code generation, optimization, and run-time support. Techniques for top-down and bottom-up parsing both with and without the use of automated tools are studied. Local and global optimization are covered. An extensive programming project is required of all students.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of data structures and programming experience (CSCI E-22, or the equivalent) with an advanced algorithms course preferred, but not required (CSCI E-124, or the equivalent). Students must have sufficient experience to write large programming projects in the C programming language that utilize a wide variety of data structures. This course does not teach programming.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:00pm-10:15pm, 53 Church Street L01
Required sections Tuesdays, 6:45-7:45 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
CSCI E-96
Data Mining for Business
Ted Kwartler MBA, Managing Director, Responsible AI, Accenture
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15736 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces non-mathematical business professionals to data science principles widely used in today’s corporations. Quantitative methods affect many of today’s interactions for business leaders, students, and consumers. Emphasis is placed on practical uses and case studies utilizing data to inform business decisions rather than theoretical or complex mathematics. Case study topics include understanding customer demand, marketing, new market forecasting, revenue projections, and data mining to improve decisions. Learning goals include quantitative business application, basic programming, algorithm development, and process workflow. The course highlights methods that business leaders and data scientists have found to be the most useful. It introduces the basic concepts of R for data mining. This course is for students who want an introduction to how data science improves business outcomes.
Prerequisites: Since this course utilizes R throughout the semester students should complete the 4-hour free online course Introduction to R at DataCamp.com found here: https://www.datacamp.com/courses/free-introduction-to-r.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional labs to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-96
Data Mining for Business
Ted Kwartler MBA, Managing Director, Responsible AI, Accenture
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26599 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces non-mathematical business professionals to data science principles widely used in today’s corporations. Quantitative methods affect many of today’s interactions for business leaders, students, and consumers. Emphasis is placed on practical uses and case studies utilizing data to inform business decisions rather than theoretical or complex mathematics. Case study topics include understanding customer demand, marketing, new market forecasting, revenue projections, and data mining to improve decisions. Learning goals include quantitative business application, basic programming, algorithm development, and process workflow. The course highlights methods that business leaders and data scientists have found to be the most useful. It introduces the basic concepts of R for data mining. This course is for students who want an introduction to how data science improves business outcomes.
Prerequisites: Since this course utilizes R throughout the semester students should complete the 4-hour free online course Introduction to R at DataCamp.com found here: https://www.datacamp.com/courses/free-introduction-to-r.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional labs to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
CSCI E-97
Software Design: Principles, Models, and Patterns
Eric Gieseke ALM, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Pago Capital
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15356 | Section 1
Description
This course approaches object-oriented software design from three perspectives: the software engineering principles that enable the development of quality software, the modeling of software components using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), and the application of design patterns as a means of reusing design models that are accepted best practices. These patterns include both the original software patterns as well as more recent modularization patterns for software construction. There is at least one significant modeling exercise and a set of programming assignments that require the application of design principles and good programming technique. Students are expected to write a detailed description of the design for each of their programs, incorporating UML models as appropriate. Students implement their programs in the Java programming language. In addition, there is at least one significant assignment that requires designing and documenting a software subsystem without implementation.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-22, or the equivalent, and proficiency in Java.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DEVP E-102
Global Development: Theory and Practice
Alexander Puutio PhD, Senior Expert, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16433 | Section 1
Description
Students build upon the body of knowledge and industry best practices in ways that allow them to effectively analyze and (de)construct theories of development, as well as related ideologies, major trends, and objective frameworks held by governments and international organizations. The discussion is centered around the features of robust theories, including explanatory and predictive power, as well as the limitations development theories face in dynamic contexts. Students strengthen their understanding of development theories by constructing their own explanatory frameworks for why and how positive change happens at the scale of communities and nations. Development indicators and other data sources are explored and analyzed critically. After covering the theory of development, the course explores its practical applications. Students learn how to critically assess, create, deliver upon, and measure the impact of tangible development projects. The course covers tangible examples of both successful and failed development projects which are analyzed for drivers of success and common denominators of failed projects. Students learn how to approach and analyze critical project design tools, including theories of change, logical frameworks, activity plans, funding and resourcing frameworks, and impact measurement processes. Students select a real-life development project as a case study, which is used as a pedagogical device to cement the learning goals of the course. In their case study, students will apply best-in-class monitoring and evaluation, as well as a range of other analytical tools to assess their chosen development projects from design to sustained impact. Over the past years, students selected projects implemented by organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank Group, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department for International Development (DFID). Past case studies and recent flagship projects are used as entry points for discussion in each class. This course is divided into the following four broad thematic areas that guide the discussions and analysis in class: the theories of development including key principles and prerequisites; project design and planning; operational delivery and coordination; and impact measurement and sustaining results.
Prerequisites: Experience manipulating data and algebraic equations on spreadsheets is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DEVP E-102
Global Development: Theory and Practice
Alexander Puutio PhD, Senior Expert, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25998 | Section 1
Description
Students build upon the body of knowledge and industry best practices in ways that allow them to effectively analyze and (de)construct theories of development, as well as related ideologies, major trends, and objective frameworks held by governments and international organizations. The discussion is centered around the features of robust theories, including explanatory and predictive power, as well as the limitations development theories face in dynamic contexts. Students strengthen their understanding of development theories by constructing their own explanatory frameworks for why and how positive change happens at the scale of communities and nations. Development indicators and other data sources are explored and analyzed critically. After covering the theory of development, the course explores its practical applications. Students learn how to critically assess, create, deliver upon, and measure the impact of tangible development projects. The course covers tangible examples of both successful and failed development projects which are analyzed for drivers of success and common denominators of failed projects. Students learn how to approach and analyze critical project design tools, including theories of change, logical frameworks, activity plans, funding and resourcing frameworks, and impact measurement processes. Students select a real-life development project as a case study, which is used as a pedagogical device to cement the learning goals of the course. In their case study, students will apply best-in-class monitoring and evaluation, as well as a range of other analytical tools to assess their chosen development projects from design to sustained impact. Over the past years, students selected projects implemented by organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank Group, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department for International Development (DFID). Past case studies and recent flagship projects are used as entry points for discussion in each class. This course is divided into the following four broad thematic areas that guide the discussions and analysis in class: the theories of development including key principles and prerequisites; project design and planning; operational delivery and coordination; and impact measurement and sustaining results.
Prerequisites: Experience manipulating data and algebraic equations on spreadsheets is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DEVP E-110
Foundations of Sustainable Development Practice
Omid Parhizkar PhD, Sustainable Development Professional and Operations Officer, Global Environment Facility, The World Bank Group
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16389 | Section 1
Description
The broad goal of this course is to introduce students to the foundations of sustainable development including food and nutritional security, social service delivery, energy policy, water resource management, urbanization, infrastructure, human rights, biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), sustainable business, ethics, governance, and education. Through a global classroom, lectures are attended virtually with academic, policy and practice partners of the Global Association from around the world. The course consists of weekly live global classroom broadcasts featuring international experts.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DEVP E-113
Leading with Ethics: Professional Practices for Sustainable Development
Nazeli Tonoyan MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17200 | Section 1
Description
In an era where global challenges demand urgent and united action, the international community strives for a future where everyone can lead dignified lives. This ambition calls upon a framework of global moral practices encompassing economic development, public health, human rights, and environmental stewardship. This course delves into the ethical considerations surrounding these practices, including the questions they raise and the assessment criteria they require. The course aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge to navigate our complex ethical landscape, including exclusion and discrimination based on various identity aspects. It emphasizes the importance of inclusion in social development goals across multiple sectors and integrates ethics with professionalism. Ethics cannot be viewed in isolation from the environments in which they are practiced. Unique identities, experiences, histories, and beliefs shape individuals and play a significant role in determining ethical considerations. This course highlights the importance of values, ethics, virtues, character, roles, duties, freedoms, and obligations in sustainable international development policies and programs. The course is designed for students interested in ethics and professionalism and equips participants with the skills necessary for careers in public policy, sustainable international development, and human rights.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
DEVP E-116
Water Crises and Solutions: Engaging Science and Social Science to Develop Sustainable Solutions
Jenny Kehl PhD, Professor of Business, International and Political Economy, Concordia University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26828 | Section 1
Description
Water scarcity will be one of the defining crises of the twenty-first century. This course combines knowledge from environmental science with global political economy, natural resource governance, sustainable economic development, and international security. It examines how water scarcity disrupts food security, distorts economic development, jeopardizes public health, threatens energy production, decreases political stability, and threatens regional security. The course engages science and social science to explore, analyze, and develop sustainable solutions for vital water systems and ecosystem services.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DEVP E-117
Meeting Climate Change Challenges and Commitments: A View from the Global South
Carol Franco PhD, Senior Research Associate, Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26812 | Section 1
Description
Climate change is the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. As a consequence of this, 195 countries agreed in Paris in 2015 to hold the increase in global average temperatures to below 2 celsius from pre-industrial levels. This international commitment spawned a complex framework and process to achieve this goal, which presents unique challenges for developing nations. This course furthers students¿ understanding of climate change, including the science, causes, impacts, actions, and policies taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The course introduces students to the international climate change policy framework, with attention paid to the policy-making process, particularly the role, aim, and history of the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Emphasis is placed on developing countries parties, which are considered most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This course also prepares and provides students with the opportunity to travel to a developing country to learn first-hand the current development and climate change issues impacting the country and the policies in place to address them. The first part of the course focuses on climate change science, causes, impacts, and policy. Students review key climate change concepts: vulnerability, resilience, adaptation, and mitigation among others in the context of the global south. In the second part of the course, students learn about the history of the negotiations and the negotiation process at the UNFCCC (objectives, role, and negotiating groups). The course inspects the Paris Agreement (PA), its components and implications, as well as the challenges to comply with the commitments agreed under it. Finally, the third part of the course focuses on preparing students for a negotiation simulation on a topic being debated at the annual Conference of Parties (COP).
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DEVP E-140
Management in the Context of Global Development
Alexander Puutio PhD, Senior Expert, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17175 | Section 1
Description
The field of global development is evolving rapidly among a host of socioeconomic, geopolitical, and environmental challenges. As a result, effective management practices are becoming increasingly crucial for development organizations as well as other entities engaged in designing, implementing, and sustaining projects that aim to tackle complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. This course provides a robust foundation for future leaders and development experts in managing development organizations and projects, equipping them with the necessary skills and insights to navigate the complexities and challenges unique to the industry. Students delve deep into the intricacies of organizational design, management practices, and the processes and tools for managing projects within diverse and often unpredictable contexts of global development. The course emphasizes the importance of adaptability, accountability, and a context-specific understanding of the socio-political, economic, and cultural dimensions that influence development work. Key topics include organizational design and decision architecture, systems thinking and business analysis, participatory design and stakeholder management, theory of change mapping, adaptive project management strategies, and monitoring and evaluation. Students explore how to overcome common pitfalls in project planning and learn to foster meaningful discussions between planners, stakeholders, and communities to co-create sustainable solutions. The course offers a hands-on approach to developing analytical and creative skills essential for assessing complex contexts and innovating solutions. A significant focus is on collaborative methods for mapping long-term change at the project, program, and policy levels, ensuring students can build strategic pathways for impactful change. By the end of this course, students are adept at managing development projects with an integrated understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field. They are prepared to lead with confidence, applying best practices in project management to facilitate long-term, sustainable development outcomes.
Prerequisites: Previous experience in project design and implementation is helpful, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DEVP E-142
The Economic Foundations of Global Development
Alexander Puutio PhD, Senior Expert, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26813 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a foundational understanding of the role of economic theories and economists in driving the discourse and outcomes of global development. From theories of industrialization and modernization to sustainable development and socioeconomic equity, economic frameworks and approaches are often found at the very core of the intellectual constellations upon which these theories are built. Students explore how global development is dependent on economic thinking across the whole spectrum of theory building, policy making, project design, and impact evaluation. This course covers the essential concepts and tools from macroeconomics, microeconomics, behavioral economics, and finance that are applied in the global development industry today. Topics covered include macroeconomic policy making, global trade and finance, government expenditures and the Keynesian multiplier, game theory, incentive structures and the principles of econometrics, and economic analysis in support of impact evaluation. Students gain a deep understanding of how economic principles inform the discourse around global development and how they can be applied in support of development objectives and goals in various settings.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DEVP E-160
A One Health Approach to Global Sustainable Development
Camille Hopkins PhD, Disease Ecologist and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17171 | Section 1
Description
Today we are facing increasingly complex, wicked environmental problems: climate change, drought, wildfires, biodiversity loss, pollution, invasive species, increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, emerging infectious diseases, habitat degradation, and overexploitation of species. How can we implement sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the face of these stressors? The international Quadripartite (which is comprised of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, and World Organisation for Animal Health) recommends a One Health approach. The Quadripartite’s One Health High-Level Expert Panel defines One Health as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent. The [One Health] approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines, and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for healthy food, water, energy, and air, taking action on climate change and contributing to sustainable development.” This course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to become a One Health practitioner.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
DEVP E-180
Just Transitions to Net Zero: Navigating the Complexities of Decarbonizing Energy Systems
Maria Petrova PhD, Professor of Environmental Science, Sustainability, and Energy Policy and Director of Program Development for The Earth Commons, Georgetown University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17177 | Section 1
Description
Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 a target set by scientists and adopted internationally by businesses and governments requires a complete transformation in how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed at an unprecedented speed and scale. Such transformation will affect not only the energy technologies we currently depend on but also the broader socioeconomic, policy, behavioral, and natural resource systems that are built around energy production and consumption. In this course, students gain an understanding of the characteristics and drivers of past and current energy systems, the challenges of just transitions, and the opportunities provided by innovation. Emphasis is placed on fostering equity and inclusivity in the transition process, addressing disparities between north-south regions, urban and rural areas, and diverse carbon economy workforces. Through critical discussions and case studies, students develop the analytical skills and practical insights necessary to propose pathways to tackling the current energy transition in a just and sustainable manner. Students may not take both DEVP E-180 and ENVR E-113 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DEVP E-202
Theory of Change Mapping in Global Development
Joshua Ellsworth MS, Program Fellow, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17060 | Section 1
Description
It is very easy for humans to come up with solutions to development problems we think we understand, but it is often much harder for us to capture the complexity of real-world contexts and explain why we think our solutions actually work in practice. This gap extends into strategic program design; it is not uncommon that the logic driving global sustainable development initiatives are not based upon a deep analysis of the actual context, but rather reflect the biases and assumptions of project planners and the organizations they represent. Overcoming these biases and assumptions requires intentional methods to foster discussions between planners and stakeholders. Theory of change mapping has emerged as a powerful tool for teams to work through these limitations. This course serves as a workshop for student practitioners to draw on their academic, lived, and professional experiences to explore how they can construct collaborative methods for mapping long-term change in complex social and environmental situations and at project, program, and policy levels. Through lectures, in-class exercises, and team projects, this course focuses on developing, in an integrated manner, the analytical skills to assess contexts, and the creative thinking and planning skills to identify and innovate solutions to tough challenges. It covers systems and problem analysis, theory of change mapping, participatory design, and tools for effective teamwork. Student teams work together on a semester-long project to develop a shared understanding of a real-life context and build a number of strategic pathways for long-term change and related projects to achieve concrete, short-term results.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
DEVP E-599
Global Development Practice Capstone
Judith Irene Rodriguez MA, Senior Research Associate, Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure, Harvard Graduate School of Design and Research Specialist, Healthy Cities Lab, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25972 | Section 1
Description
This course is a capstone designed for students earning a Master of Liberal Arts, global development practice. The course approach is learner-centered, whereby students create a development plan for a client by applying skills and knowledge gained from their graduate school experience. This course builds upon the student’s guided prework completed in DEVP E-598. The course deliverables include a detailed actionable and measurable plan, as well as a presentation to be given to the class and to client stakeholders. Appropriate clients may include communities, corporations, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), governmental agencies, schools, universities, and hospitals. Students work with a client with one or more stakeholders to develop and deliver a customized development plan focused on one or more of these areas: community development, human rights, labor practices, education, environmental sustainability, and fair operating practices. Listings of prior projects may be viewed at the Global Development Practice Capstone website.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, global development practice. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, DEVP E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, Sunday, February 8-9, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DGMD E-1
Digital Media: From Ideas to Designs and Prototypes
Bakhtiar Mikhak PhD, Co-Founder, Media Modifications, Ltd.
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16151 | Section 1
Description
This is a practical design course on perspectives, tools, and methods for going from an idea for a product or service powered by a mobile and/or web application to an interactive design prototype ready for handoff to a development team. We start with brainstorming and iteratively refining the core concept for your product or service, based on which we create the brand identity along with detailed personas and stories that capture why and for whom your product or service is developed. We then translate those personas and stories into storyboards that illustrate the application’s experiential flow in real-world contexts in terms of concrete visual and interaction design elements. The design and development of a component-based pattern library for creating interactive prototypes with live data is a central focus of this course. We introduce a varied, growing collection of third-party component libraries that can help give your prototypes a professional and polished quality. We create prototypes with a visual design tool that also allows creating and enhancing components with code for imagining and realizing even richer interactions and experience flows. The work in this course is based on significant use of a mix of the following tools and technologies: Notion, Milanote, and Framer (with Figma, Play, HTML, CSS, Javascript, React, Next.js, Github, and Visual Studio Code).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Saturday, Sunday, September 21-22, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DGMD E-1
Digital Media: From Ideas to Designs and Prototypes
Bakhtiar Mikhak PhD, Co-Founder, Media Modifications, Ltd.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26600 | Section 1
Description
This is a practical design course on perspectives, tools, and methods for going from an idea for a product or service powered by a mobile and/or web application to an interactive design prototype ready for handoff to a development team. We start with brainstorming and iteratively refining the core concept for your product or service, based on which we create the brand identity along with detailed personas and stories that capture why and for whom your product or service is developed. We then translate those personas and stories into storyboards that illustrate the application’s experiential flow in real-world contexts in terms of concrete visual and interaction design elements. The design and development of a component-based pattern library for creating interactive prototypes with live data is a central focus of this course. We introduce a varied, growing collection of third-party component libraries that can help give your prototypes a professional and polished quality. We create prototypes with a visual design tool that also allows creating and enhancing components with code for imagining and realizing even richer interactions and experience flows. The work in this course is based on significant use of a mix of the following tools and technologies: Notion, Milanote, and Framer (with Figma, Play, HTML, CSS, Javascript, React, Next.js, Github, and Visual Studio Code).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, February 15-16, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DGMD E-10
Advanced Digital Photography
Greg Marinovich MS, Master Lecturer, Journalism, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26741 | Section 1
Description
This course explores storytelling through the genres of photojournalism, documentary, and art photography. We look at photographic books with the goals of expanding students’ approaches, techniques, and aesthetic possibilities for their semester-long projects. The course constantly refers to the software tools we use to ensure reliable workflow and archive management. It addresses advanced color management as well as the science of converting images from color to black and white. Through lectures, hands-on assignments, and critiques, students expand their understanding of digital photography while exploring their creativity to broaden the possibilities and improve the quality of their photographs. Documentary photography and long-form photojournalism predominate, but we also explore art. This is a bridging course between accidental art while doing documentary work and art for art’s sake. We look at various types of photography that are defined or self-defined as art. We dive into portraiture outside of the studio, shooting stories involving people and discussing how to get the picture when everyone does not want you to. This course explores conflict and documentary photography extensively, with an emphasis on narrative photography, but it does not preclude students from any genre of photography they wish to pursue. The goal of the course is for each student to produce a body of work or a photographic essay in electronic book form. The skill of editing one’s own work is a key learning goal.
Prerequisites: Students should have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of photography, or have completed DGMD E-9 or the equivalent. Students need access to a camera where they can control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Students need access to the internet and a computer with software like Adobe Lightroom to tone and edit images. Please note that Photoshop is not an editing tool, it is a retouching tool.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 22 students
DGMD E-11
Digital Media: From Prototypes to Products and Services
Bakhtiar Mikhak PhD, Co-Founder, Media Modifications, Ltd.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25712 | Section 1
Description
This is a practical software engineering course on creating a minimum viable product or service based on an interactive prototype for a mobile or web application designed in Framer (or Figma, or Play). We begin with a detailed review of the designs with particular attention to the underlying design system, and in particular, its component or pattern library. The first half of the course is dedicated to building a fully functioning demo of your application, where the the front-end user experience is powered by these components and the backend is implemented on a platform like Supabase. We dedicate the second half of the course to either enriching your demo with novel features or preparing a version of your application for launch as a product or service. In the former case, the work on final deliverables may focus on iterative refinements to interaction and interface design or integration with third-party services for real-time interactivity and working with cloud storage and live data. In the latter case, the work would focus on deployment, security, and scaling. Your work in this course is based on significant use of a mix of these tools: Notion, Framer, HTML, CSS, Javascript, React, Next.js, Github, and Visual Studio Code.
Prerequisites: DGMD E-1 or equivalent with permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Saturday, Sunday, March 8-9, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DGMD E-14
Wearable Devices and Computer Vision
Nabib Ahmed AM, Artificial Intelligence Researcher, Meta
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16693 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the field of wearable devices and computer vision, and exposes students to hands-on practical exercises based on real-life situations and industry problems. Wearable technologies is currently a 50 billion dollar industry, with estimated annual growth of 10 percent year over year. It is experiencing explosive growth with exciting applications in many fields, from medicine to sports to fitness to entertainment, empowering people to interact, communicate, and experience the environment around them in new, innovative ways. Some prominent examples are smart watches, medical trackers, and augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets. Underlying these advances in wearable devices is computer vision, which is an exciting field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning enabling computers to derive information from images, videos, and other inputs. In this course we explore advances in wearable devices and utilize computer vision to tackle emerging problems (for example assistive devices, educational applications, and health monitoring). Students learn about sensors, signal processing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational optical analysis, simultaneous localization and mapping, lighting and material estimation, and robust algorithms for modeling. Students may not take both DGMD E-13 and DGMD E-14 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-7 or CSCI E-50 or equivalent. Experience with programming, technical and code documentation, and data (any programming language will do; some examples are Python, R, Java, or C/C++). Familiarity with algebra and geometry. No background needed in machine learning, computer vision, or wearable devices.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-17
Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Artificial Intelligence
Nabib Ahmed AM, Artificial Intelligence Researcher, Meta
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26008 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the field of robotics, autonomous vehicles, and drones, and exposes students to the core technologies and systems through practical exercises and simulation. These are fields with tremendous growth and opportunities in the next 10-50 years; billions of dollars are being invested and the market size is expected to grow 10-15 percent annually. The impact of these technologies can fundamentally revolutionize a multitude of industries and transform our society, from self-driving cars to same-day drone delivery, to robotic assistants and laborers. This course explores the theories, tools, and processes that enable these technologies and the challenges, limitations, and capabilities of modern robotics, autonomous vehicles, and drone technologies. Students learn about sensor technologies for automation, autonomy from a systems perspective, vision-based perception and techniques, modern machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms, mathematical modeling and abstraction, and engineering design. The goal is to develop a fundamental toolkit to advance the next generation within the field.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-7 or CSCI E-50 or equivalent. Experience with programming, technical and code documentation, and data (any programming language will do; some examples are Python, R, Java, or C/C++). Familiarity with algebra and geometry. No background needed in machine learning, computer vision, or wearable devices.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-20
Modern and Mobile Front-End Web Design I
Rupananda Misra EdD, Assistant Professor and User Experience Design Program Coordinator, Professional Science Master’s Program, Rutgers University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14283 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students learn HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript, which are three fundamental web development technologies. Students learn hands-on and practical knowledge of how to create responsive design websites that would run on any modern browser and mobile device. The course explores advanced topics in CSS such as complex motion, games using HTML Canvas, JavaScript document object model (DOM), and JavaScript libraries such as jQuery and Bootstrap.
Prerequisites: Basic computer knowledge.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-23
Planning Successful Websites and Applications
Lisa DiOrio MS, Owner and Lead Developer, Fembot Creative
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16308 | Section 1
Description
There are many options to build a website, from website builders to coding a site from scratch. Regardless of the option you choose to build the site, a solid planning process is crucial to produce an effective site. Questions such as what is significant about the product, for whom the product exists, and how should the product information be organized need to be addressed upfront. In this course, students learn to plan and design a website or web application, including choosing a target audience, defining site goals and reconciling these with user and business goals, establishing a brand and a tone of voice, and designing a page architecture. Students select two projects and then create a complete plan for each. These plans can serve as a blueprint for anyone charged with building the corresponding website. This course is not a coding course. It focuses on the other aspects of website and web application creation to set the stage for building better sites that get results.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
DGMD E-25
Developing Websites with WordPress
Lisa DiOrio MS, Owner and Lead Developer, Fembot Creative
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16681 | Section 1
Description
A content management system (CMS) facilitates rapid website development and updates, often requiring minimal coding. Some of the key features of a CMS are separation of content from page structure by utilizing a database to store content, taxonomy to provide classification for posts and pages, themes to provide a foundational structure, building blocks (modules and plugins) that extend functionality, and templates to define the structure of related pages. In this hands-on course, we explore these concepts and more using the WordPress CMS to create engaging, mobile-friendly websites with compelling content that meets the goals of a business or organization. The course is project-based; students build several sites over the term, culminating in a final project to build a complete website of their choosing.
Prerequisites: CSCI E-12 or permission of the instructor. Students should have a solid understanding of HTML and CSS fundamentals.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-26
WordPress Programming
Lisa DiOrio MS, Owner and Lead Developer, Fembot Creative
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26268 | Section 1
Description
This hands-on course helps students gain an understanding of how to utilize client-side and server-side web programming techniques to create customized online solutions, rich user experiences, e-commerce, and mobile friendly websites using the WordPress content management system (CMS). Students hone their programming skills by customizing WordPress websites including the WordPress backend. Course topics include understanding the WordPress platform and file structure, themes, programming in PHP, relational databases, MySQL database programming, programming WordPress theme files, adding custom code to a WordPress site through shortcodes and templates, custom post types, the WordPress CODEX/function library, WordPress filters and hooks, plugin development, site migration, and site maintenance. Project assignments help students gain proficiency with individual concepts culminating in a comprehensive final project to create an interactive website using a topic of their choice.
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of web technologies, including HTML, and CSS. Familiarity with programming concepts including conditionals, loops, functions, and arrays. Experience working with WordPress is helpful, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-28
Developing Single-Page Web Applications
Lisa DiOrio MS, Owner and Lead Developer, Fembot Creative
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25694 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students learn how to build interactive, single-page applications (SPAs) and interfaces for the web. An SPA is a special classification of a website or web application in which the user can navigate between different screens without loading a new web page. Instead, new content may be accessed directly from the server using an application programming interface (API). This results in performance improvements and a more dynamic experience. Well-constructed SPAs include a rich user interface to provide a seamless interactive user experience. Two well-known examples of SPAs are Gmail and Twitter, which both provide dynamic page views without the need to reload the page. SPAs can be created with Javascript as well as various frameworks including React, Angular, Node.js, and Vue.js. We explore the pros and cons of SPAs, as well as their effective design. We explore several technologies in the course including JavaScript ECMAScript 6, React, JSON, and APIs, as well as mechanisms involved in SPA development such as components, routing, and state management. This hands-on course includes many coding assignments to help students master the techniques used to build an SPA, culminating in a final project to build a comprehensive single-page web application.
Prerequisites: JavaScript and/or a strong foundation in programming. Comfort with HTML/CSS (CSCI E-12 or equivalent). For the best chance of success in this course, students should understand the fundamentals of creating a website and have some coding experience.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-30
Introduction to Media Production
Nicholas J. Manley MFA, Co-Founder, The Ebiz Institute
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14285 | Section 1
Description
Building skills from the ground up, we demystify the technology and techniques, giving students everything they need to make professional-level video content in their fields. Cinematography, audio recording, editing, production management, and lighting for documentary and narrative film are all covered in a project-based approach. Students learn how to light an interview like a pro, make the most of their equipment in the field, conduct interviews, break down scenes, storyboard, plan, and produce video projects. We screen and critique students’ work as it evolves and refine methods for strengthening stories by looking at successful movies that have cracked the code. This course is designed for anyone who wants a crash course in producing quality video on a shoestring budget and for storytellers who want to translate their ideas into compelling videos of any kind.
Prerequisites: Students may use most available video capture devices including video cameras, DSLR/mirrorless cameras, or smartphones (additional applications may be required). Specific approaches for each device are covered. Additionally, a tripod, audio recording device (or smartphone), and access to video editing software is required. In this course we use Adobe Premiere CC.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
DGMD E-35
Video Editing and Digital Design
Alexandra Seckar-Bandow ALM, Video Editor, Verse Video Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15362 | Section 1
Description
The ability of the film editor to shape a story is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of the filmmaking process. This course serves as an introduction to the art of video post-production. We explore the theory and practice of various editing styles in order to gain a better understanding of how stories are most effectively constructed in the editing room. Through demonstrations and hands-on experience, students learn advanced editing techniques with an in-depth examination of Adobe Premiere. To further enhance projects, students create animated motion graphics using Adobe After Effects and learn how to enhance their audio recordings with Adobe Audition. Strong emphasis is placed on post-production techniques that improve the sound and image quality of the videos. Footage is provided for all exercises and projects, and students are given the option to shoot new material for their final projects if desired.
Prerequisites: General comfort with computers.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
DGMD E-35
Video Editing and Digital Design
Alexandra Seckar-Bandow ALM, Video Editor, Verse Video Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24026 | Section 1
Description
The ability of the film editor to shape a story is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of the filmmaking process. This course serves as an introduction to the art of video post-production. We explore the theory and practice of various editing styles in order to gain a better understanding of how stories are most effectively constructed in the editing room. Through demonstrations and hands-on experience, students learn advanced editing techniques with an in-depth examination of Adobe Premiere. To further enhance projects, students create animated motion graphics using Adobe After Effects and learn how to enhance their audio recordings with Adobe Audition. Strong emphasis is placed on post-production techniques that improve the sound and image quality of the videos. Footage is provided for all exercises and projects, and students are given the option to shoot new material for their final projects if desired.
Prerequisites: General comfort with computers.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
DGMD E-37
Introduction to Motion Graphics and Story Visualization
Jason Wiser MFA, Creative Director, Yaya Play Games
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16169 | Section 1
Description
How do we share a concept before the real counterpart has been created? How do we visualize a new piece of software, a business model, or a story dynamically? Motion graphics allows us to design enormously engaging visual experiences to communicate complex ideas. This course explores principles of visual narrative development toward an understanding of well-edited stories and effects.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Required sections Wednesdays, 7-8 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
DGMD E-42
Making the Short Film: Innovations and Practices for the Digital Age
Alexandra Seckar-Bandow ALM, Video Editor, Verse Video Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26822 | Section 1
Description
Short films are an exciting and ever-evolving form of storytelling. This course explores the strong tradition short films have in our culture, as well as the new and innovative techniques filmmakers are currently using to tell and distribute their stories. In this course, students devote the entire semester to the creation and completion of one short film narrative, documentary, or animation with the intent of festival submission and/or online release. Students work in a collaborative atmosphere with classmates and the instructor to refine scripts and treatments, plan productions, and create the final film. Students may work individually or partner in a collaborative team. Either way, the course serves as a support system for each student, offering advice, critiques, and resources so that each member is an integral part of a fully realized short. In addition to supporting traditional filmmaking approaches, innovative storytelling techniques are strongly welcomed and supported. These can include interactive online documentaries, hybrid approaches (blending fiction and nonfiction), webisode pilots, and experimental techniques. Additionally, the course demystifies the online distribution process and the film festival circuit, exploring the many avenues filmmakers can take to get their work shown to a wider audience.
Prerequisites: Experience with video editing and production strongly encouraged but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
DGMD E-45
Introduction to 3D Animation and Virtual Reality
Jason Wiser MFA, Creative Director, Yaya Play Games
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25799 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of 3D modeling, surfacing, and animation. Students learn to model and texture objects, compose and light scenes, animate, and render as movies, learning techniques applicable to work in video games and augmented reality (AR), architectural and medical visualization, and television and feature films.
Prerequisites: Online students must have the following software, hardware, operating systems, and peripherals. For software: Autodesk Maya, Unity, Adobe Photoshop, and After Effects (see syllabus for details). For hardware: 4 GB of RAM (8-16GB recommended), 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, a webcam, a microphone (headset recommended), and 20 GB of free hard-drive space for installing programs. For operating systems, one of the following: Apple Mac OS X 10.8.5 or higher, or Microsoft Windows 10 or higher. For peripherals: a three-button mouse (a two-button mouse will not work with Maya). A digital drawing tablet and pen, such as a Wacom Intuos, is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Required sections Wednesdays, 7-8 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
DGMD E-5
Exploring Digital Media
Dan Coffey ALM, Senior Product Manager, Dolby Laboratories
Ian Sexton MFA, Visiting Faculty Lecturer, Art and Design, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26718 | Section 1
Description
This is a practical, introductory course that gives a fast-paced overview of a broad range of topics related to contemporary digital media. The course aims to equip students with an understanding of the basics of exposure and composition which are vital for the closely related fields of digital photography and digital cinematography. Topics also include fundamental lighting techniques, video technology, video production processes with practical exercises in each stage of the workflow, audio production, video compression, and distribution. The basic elements of web design via a graphical interface is also touched upon. Given the power of modern personal computers, all course topics apply to both professional production environments and personal media projects alike. By the end of the course, students can expect to understand common production workflows for a wide array of digital media including digital photography, video production, audio recording, and practical related topics.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from both the 2019 and 2024 course.
DGMD E-50
Introduction to Visual Communication Design
Athir Mahmud PhD, Consultant
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15157 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to a theory-driven, hands-on approach to visual communication design. Students learn about vector and raster graphics, designing for target audiences, accessibility, and editing photographs using some of the most commonly used photo editing software in the visual design industry. Topics include, but are not limited to, the elements and principles of design, color theory, visual perception, typography, symbolism, logos, brand identity, and information design. Connections to current and historical contexts of visual communication and the graphic arts are interwoven throughout the course. Students share design work and take part in design critiques and written discussions, as both designers and peers.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
DGMD E-52
Logo Design and Brand Identity
Athir Mahmud PhD, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26648 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with a comprehensive, in-depth theoretical and design-based understanding of logo design and brand identity from a visual communication perspective. Topics include logos and branding in corporations, education, medicine, and start-ups. Attention is placed on logos and branding surrounding digital, print packaging, and mobile interfaces, as well as a focus on brand recognition and longevity. Students gain an appreciation for personal branding and spend time developing this during the course of the semester.
Prerequisites: A prior basic understanding of design is usually helpful, especially the use of digital design applications.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
DGMD E-55
Designing Educational Media
Kerry Foley EdM, Director of Learning Experience Design, Perkins School for the Blind
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26054 | Section 1
Description
In a society saturated with media and technology, what makes a great learning tool stand out among the rest? This course explores the many types of informal and formal educational media being developed for children, K-12, higher education, adult learners, and workplace training, and examines the cognitive processes that drive the learning. Together we explore theoretical models for learning and teaching, fundamentals of user experience, and techniques for effective product development as they relate to the creation of educational media. Over the course of the semester, students evaluate existing educational media, participate in design challenges, and design a prototype for an educational media product of their own. No prior experience in educational technology is necessary for the course, but a willingness to explore new technologies is a must.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
DGMD E-597
Digital Media Design Precapstone
Alexandra Seckar-Bandow ALM, Video Editor, Verse Video Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17273 | Section 1
Description
This course helps students develop academically strong, individual or team-based capstone proposals. It is mandatory for candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, digital media design, who wish to register for DGMD E-599 in the coming spring term. Students develop a capstone proposal through workshopping, collaboration, research, and working with industry partners. They receive guidance on refining project proposals, building the domain knowledge necessary in their selected area, and conducting user research. By the end of the course, each team submits a detailed capstone proposal, including project rationale, literature reviews, scope, target audience/user journeys, timeline, and competitor analysis.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, digital media design, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, DGMD E-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $0, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DGMD E-599
Capstone Design Studio
Bakhtiar Mikhak PhD, Co-Founder, Media Modifications, Ltd.
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17274 | Section 1
Description
The capstone course is designed for students whose research projects focus on video production and web development, front-end design, or emerging technologies. Students apply knowledge and skills obtained in the program to design a significant individual or group project in a collaborative environment. At the end of the semester, they make a formal oral presentation to their peers and faculty.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, digital media design. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, DGMD E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
DGMD E-599
Capstone Design Studio
Alexandra Seckar-Bandow ALM, Video Editor, Verse Video Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24247 | Section 1
Description
The capstone course is designed for students whose research projects focus on video production and web development, front-end design, or emerging technologies. Students apply knowledge and skills obtained in the program to design a significant individual or group project in a collaborative environment. At the end of the semester, they make a formal oral presentation to their peers and faculty.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, digital media design. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, DGMD E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DGMD E-60
Designing Online Courses
Adrienne Phelps-Coco PhD, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Division of Continuing Education, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16625 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students explore the fundamental elements of online course design and how to be practitioners of pedagogy and instructional design in a world where online learning is constantly changing. Students examine and establish the qualities of a good online course through the lenses of foundational learning theories, design-thinking principles, and the practical realities of course design. Over the course of the semester, students create and workshop an online learning project of their choice. Course topics include working with subject matter experts, creating student connection, planning content, translating face-to-face experiences online, designing assessments, and measuring course success. This course also explores the future of online education, with considerations for artificial intelligence (AI) and the transformation of education. Students may not take both DGMD E-60 and EDUC E-113 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: DGMD E-55, EDUC E-103, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
DGMD E-60
Designing Online Courses
Karina Lin-Murphy EdM, Associate Director of Course Design and Pedagogical Innovation, Roland C. Christensen Center for Teaching Learning, Harvard Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26794 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students explore the fundamental elements of online course design and how to be practitioners of pedagogy and instructional design in a world where online learning is constantly changing. Students examine and establish the qualities of a good online course through the lenses of foundational learning theories, design-thinking principles, and the practical realities of course design. Over the course of the semester, students create and workshop an online learning project of their choice. Course topics include working with subject matter experts, creating student connection, planning content, translating face-to-face experiences online, designing assessments, and measuring course success. This course also explores the future of online education, with considerations for artificial intelligence (AI) and the transformation of education. Students may not take both DGMD E-60 and EDUC E-113 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: DGMD E-55, EDUC E-103, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
DGMD E-9
Fundamentals of Digital Photography
Leonie Marinovich BA, Documentary Photographer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16307 | Section 1
Description
This course is aimed at students wishing to master the fundamentals of photography. It gives students the opportunity to learn photography using their digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) and acquire the skills to use manual settings and use the different shooting modes available on their cameras. Topics covered in this course include the fundamentals of exposure, composition, lighting, editing techniques, color correction, delivery for print and digital media, metadata creation, and digital workflow management. We reference classical art that has heavily influenced photography in the way that images are composed and lighted. The course is helpful to students who wish to explore digital photography as a way to document their field work and other work in progress and enhance their visual literacy, enabling them to assess images and other visual media. Students are taught Lightroom to manage their digital archives and learn to use editing techniques to enhance their images. Coursework is structured along two main components: technical mastery and aesthetic development. During the semester students are first taught the technical skills which they then apply in practical exercises to consolidate those skills. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to have mastered their camera and their images should look more polished. Students have the option to create a learning portfolio to present their work.
Prerequisites: Students do not need to have previous experience as a photographer, but learning the craft also requires a commitment to mastering other associated technologies. Students need to have a digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) with the ability to manually control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. A compact camera or a smartphone will not be adequate. A tripod suitable for the weight of your camera is required. Students need a computer with Lightroom Classic CC installed. Photoshop is not required. Along with a computer, students need an external hard drive and memory card for their camera.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DGMD E-9
Fundamentals of Digital Photography
Leonie Marinovich BA, Documentary Photographer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26740 | Section 1
Description
This course is aimed at students wishing to master the fundamentals of photography. It gives students the opportunity to learn photography using their digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) and acquire the skills to use manual settings and use the different shooting modes available on their cameras. Topics covered in this course include the fundamentals of exposure, composition, lighting, editing techniques, color correction, delivery for print and digital media, metadata creation, and digital workflow management. We reference classical art that has heavily influenced photography in the way that images are composed and lighted. The course is helpful to students who wish to explore digital photography as a way to document their field work and other work in progress and enhance their visual literacy, enabling them to assess images and other visual media. Students are taught Lightroom to manage their digital archives and learn to use editing techniques to enhance their images. Coursework is structured along two main components: technical mastery and aesthetic development. During the semester students are first taught the technical skills which they then apply in practical exercises to consolidate those skills. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to have mastered their camera and their images should look more polished. Students have the option to create a learning portfolio to present their work.
Prerequisites: Students do not need to have previous experience as a photographer, but learning the craft also requires a commitment to mastering other associated technologies. Students need to have a digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless) with the ability to manually control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. A compact camera or a smartphone will not be adequate. A tripod suitable for the weight of your camera is required. Students need a computer with Lightroom Classic CC installed. Photoshop is not required. Along with a computer, students need an external hard drive and memory card for their camera.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
DRAM E-10
Introduction to Acting
Remo Airaldi AB, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 12954 | Section 1
Description
Through individual and group exercises, monologues, improvisations, and scene studies, this workshop eclectic in method helps students develop their acting potential and sharpen their performing skills. Previous theater study is not required. Students may only take DRAM E-10 or DRAM E-10a and DRAM E-10b for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-10
Introduction to Acting
Remo Airaldi AB, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26372 | Section 1
Description
Through individual and group exercises, monologues, improvisations, and scene studies, this workshop eclectic in method helps students develop their acting potential and sharpen their performing skills. Previous theater study is not required. Students may only take DRAM E-10 or DRAM E-10a and DRAM E-10b for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-10a
Introduction to Acting I
Remo Airaldi AB, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17006 | Section 1
Description
Through individual and group exercises, monologues, and improvisations, this active learning weekend helps students develop their acting potential and sharpen their performing skills. Previous theater study is not required. Students may only take DRAM E-10 or DRAM E-10a and DRAM E-10b for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 1, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 202
Saturday, November 2, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Sunday, November 3, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-10b
Introduction to Acting II
Remo Airaldi AB, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26669 | Section 1
Description
Through individual and group exercises, monologues, and improvisations, this active learning weekend helps students develop their acting potential and sharpen their performing skills. Previous theater study is not required. Students may only take DRAM E-10 or DRAM E-10a and DRAM E-10b for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a grade of satisfactory in DRAM E-10a to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Saturday, March 29, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Sunday, March 30, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: March 28, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-21
Improvisational Acting
John Kuntz MA, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University and Associate Professor of Theater, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16970 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed not only for students of the theater, but also for those with an interest in politics and debate, public speaking, trial law, and education, as well as a broad range of other careers. Students explore various improvisational techniques that fuse intellect, imagination, voice, and body. Students may only take DRAM E-21 or DRAM E-21a and DRAM E-21b for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-21
Improvisational Acting
John Kuntz MA, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University and Associate Professor of Theater, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26636 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed not only for students of the theater, but also for those with an interest in politics and debate, public speaking, trial law, and education, as well as a broad range of other careers. Students explore various improvisational techniques that fuse intellect, imagination, voice, and body. Students may only take DRAM E-21 or DRAM E-21a and DRAM E-21b for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-21a
Improvisational Acting I
John Kuntz MA, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University and Associate Professor of Theater, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17009 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed not only for students of the theater, but also for those with an interest in politics and debate, public speaking, trial law, and education, as well as a broad range of other careers. Students explore various improvisational techniques that fuse intellect, humor, imagination, voice, and body. Students may only take DRAM E-21 or DRAM E-21a and DRAM E-21b for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 18, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Saturday, October 19, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Sunday, October 20, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: October 18, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-21b
Improvisational Acting II
John Kuntz MA, Lecturer on Theater, Dance, and Media, Harvard University and Associate Professor of Theater, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26670 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students work on physical and vocal invention, exploring the many ways and styles in which dynamic and compelling stories can be told. We aim to heighten imagination and observation, build confidence, and enhance extemporaneous speech and thought through exercises, exploring impulses, and imaginative courage. Techniques used include both individual and group activities, Grotowski and Spolin exercises, and Viewpoints. This course is designed not only for students of the theater, but also for those with an interest in politics and debate, public speaking, trial law, and education, as well as a broad range of other careers. Students explore various improvisational techniques that fuse intellect, imagination, voice, and body. Students may only take DRAM E-21 or DRAM E-21a and DRAM E-21b for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a grade of satisfactory in DRAM E-21a to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 202
Saturday, April 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Sunday, April 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Term Start Date: April 11, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-37
Great Collaborators: The Music and Lyrics of Broadway’s Famous Songwriting Teams
Pamela J. Murray MusM, Performance Faculty, Voice, Musical Theater Cabaret Ensemble, Boston College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17195 | Section 1
Description
Some of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time were written by songwriting teams. From Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein or Rodgers and Lorenz Hart to Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe, John Kander and Fred Ebb, and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, these writers collaborated almost exclusively with one another and created new kinds of storytelling for stage and screen. Their signature styles are unmistakable and have earned them their places in the history of Broadway. In this course we focus on studying and performing songs from shows written by these duos. In addition to preparing a song both vocally and dramatically, each student gives a final presentation including biographical information about the writers, as well as sharing research on their method of collaboration.
Prerequisites: Willingness to sing in front of the class.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm, 34 Concord Avenue 213
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
DRAM E-38
Script and Score: The Intersection of Story and Song
Wesley Verge MFA
Pamela J. Murray MusM, Performance Faculty, Voice, Musical Theater Cabaret Ensemble, Boston College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26921 | Section 1
Description
This intermediate to advanced performance course explores how singing and acting intersect in musical theater. It develops the singer-actor as an interpreter of song using a variety of musical theater vocal styles. Students work to develop a flexible, expressive vocal instrument while also meeting the challenge of singing in harmony with a scene partner. The script and score analysis portion of the course develops musicianship and refinement in performance, combining vocal and acting skills with character development in musical play scene work, including dialogue. Students hone their acting skills through improvisational ensemble work and individualized coaching. They grow in their capacity as singers and actors while also developing a deeper understanding of the processes involved in being a musical theater performer. Scenes are chosen from a variety of eras and styles, and each student learns two contrasting numbers.
Prerequisites: Previous acting and singing courses or equivalent practical experience, or permission of the instructors.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm, 34 Concord Avenue 213
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
DRAM E-45
Directing for the Screen
Catherine Eaton MFA, Director and Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26840 | Section 1
Description
Have you ever wanted to explore film directing, but haven’t known where to begin? In this course, students learn the core elements of directing fiction films, including everything from pre-production, to learning where to put the camera, to working with actors. Students learn how to break down scripts to find and develop a strong directorial point of view (POV) and gain the tools to create an intelligent shot-list and shot-diagram. The course covers various methods to work with and direct actors, and how to identify crew positions and learn how to assemble a crew. Additionally, we cover things like how to prepare for a shoot, expectations on set, and how to protect your creative process throughout the experience of making a fiction film. Sessions include presentations, discussions, scene analysis from various films (looking at camera set-ups, objectives, and directorial POV), interactive exercises, a case study, and shooting and presenting scenes to the class. Please note: this course does not cover the technical use of film cameras, lighting, or audio equipment. Scene exercises may be shot on whatever video camera each student has access to, such as a smartphone or other device, as equipment cannot be provided.
Prerequisites: In order to complete certain course exercises, all students must have use of a cell phone or other camera equipment that shoots video (most modern cell phones fulfill this remit). Students must also have access to simple editing software. Examples are iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, or Openshot (which can be downloaded for free), among others. Editing requirements are very simple, so experience with the software should not be a barrier. If you have any questions or concerns about these requirements, please contact the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, May 10-11, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
ECON E-1000
Essentials of Economics
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16740 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an analytic and applied overview of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. In the microeconomic portion of the course, we examine exactly how prices are determined in competitive markets and what can distort that determination. Market structure is analyzed, including the fundamentals of firm pricing and production decisions. Using examples from various industries, we analyze what happens when market conditions change. Furthermore, we examine how these changes affect overall social welfare. Issues concerning trade are addressed, for example, when should countries, or even individuals, trade? Who gains or loses from trade? Turning to macroeconomics, we investigate the key economic statistics that you read about in the business press and other media, such as gross domestic product (GDP), the consumer price index (CPI), and the unemployment rate. For so many around the world, economic development is literally a matter of life and death. While economic growth is primarily a long-run phenomenon, short-run fluctuations in the economy cycles of expansion and recession are often the focus of short-run planning decisions by consumers, firms, and government. We examine in detail what causes these fluctuations and how government policies monetary and fiscal policy can dampen these cycles. An understanding of the Federal Reserve and monetary policy must be predicated on an understanding of the banking and financial system. Therefore, we delve into that in the course of our study of actions by the monetary authority. Recent events have also thrust fiscal policy to the fore. We talk in detail about how fiscal policy works and its implications for the economy in both the short and long term. Economics is not primarily a set of answers, but rather a method of reasoning. By the end of the course, students are able to use the framework they have learned to form their own judgments about the major economic problems faced by the United States and other countries. Indeed, after completing the course, students often find that they are better able to read and interpret the business press and other media and are better equipped to evaluate the economic policies promulgated by governments and other institutions. More importantly, however, the analytical skills students acquire in the course are instrumental in their continued success in the pursuit of a graduate degree or certificate. Students may not take both ECON E-10a and ECON E-1000 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Exposure to graphing and elementary algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-1000
Essentials of Economics
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26348 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an analytic and applied overview of both microeconomics and macroeconomics. In the microeconomic portion of the course, we examine exactly how prices are determined in competitive markets and what can distort that determination. Market structure is analyzed, including the fundamentals of firm pricing and production decisions. Using examples from various industries, we analyze what happens when market conditions change. Furthermore, we examine how these changes affect overall social welfare. Issues concerning trade are addressed, for example, when should countries, or even individuals, trade? Who gains or loses from trade? Turning to macroeconomics, we investigate the key economic statistics that you read about in the business press and other media, such as gross domestic product (GDP), the consumer price index (CPI), and the unemployment rate. For so many around the world, economic development is literally a matter of life and death. While economic growth is primarily a long-run phenomenon, short-run fluctuations in the economy cycles of expansion and recession are often the focus of short-run planning decisions by consumers, firms, and government. We examine in detail what causes these fluctuations and how government policies monetary and fiscal policy can dampen these cycles. An understanding of the Federal Reserve and monetary policy must be predicated on an understanding of the banking and financial system. Therefore, we delve into that in the course of our study of actions by the monetary authority. Recent events have also thrust fiscal policy to the fore. We talk in detail about how fiscal policy works and its implications for the economy in both the short and long term. Economics is not primarily a set of answers, but rather a method of reasoning. By the end of the course, students are able to use the framework they have learned to form their own judgments about the major economic problems faced by the United States and other countries. Indeed, after completing the course, students often find that they are better able to read and interpret the business press and other media and are better equipped to evaluate the economic policies promulgated by governments and other institutions. More importantly, however, the analytical skills students acquire in the course are instrumental in their continued success in the pursuit of a graduate degree or certificate. Students may not take both ECON E-10a and ECON E-1000 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Exposure to graphing and elementary algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-1005
Foundations of Real-World Economics
John Komlos PhD, Professor of Economics, Emeritus, University of Munich
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17286 | Section 1
Description
The course discusses complex economic processes in straightforward terms so that they can be understood without the use of mathematics and without prior knowledge of economics. The focus is on understanding the way the economy works in the real world without relying excessively on assumptions, math, or abstract models of the economy. We use the inductive method, which means that we consider the evidence first and then infer from the data how people actually behave in real markets where asymmetric information, bounded rationality, transaction costs, and uneven distribution of power dominates. We apply the concepts we learn to contemporary controversial topics such as minimum wage legislation, the function of unions, and why the free market overcharges for health care. We explore why Noble Prize-winning economists such as Paul Krugman and Joe Stiglitz are so critical of the current economic situation for its dizzying inequality, its endemic underemployment, the humongous trade and government deficits, stagnating wages, the lack of inclusive growth, and its inability to provide a dignified life for dozens of millions of its citizens. Most economists do not have the answers to the challenges of globalization, inequality, and technological unemployment because they are unable to think creatively about new institutional structures that would enable us to transition to a full-employment economy in which the focus is not on production and consumption as much as on the achievement of a high quality of life in capitalism with a human face. In contrast, this course weaves ideas from history, psychology, sociology, and political science into a common-sense economic perspective in order to explore these issues. We also discuss the achievements of Nobel Prize-winning behavioral economists and the impact of the financial crisis of 2008, the economic roots of the rise of populism, and ends by outlining the main impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
ECON E-1010
Microeconomic Theory
Dorian B. Klein MBA, Managing Partner, Klein Family Office
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16651 | Section 1
Description
This course presents the basic analytical tools of microeconomics. We start by looking at the decision making of individual consumers and ask how these decisions can be optimized or improved. Next, we look at the ways firms make and coordinate their decisions under varying market structures, including perfect competition and monopoly. Then we look at strategic behavior in imperfectly competitive markets, making use of concepts from game theory such as Nash equilibrium. Finally, we take up topics including bargaining theory, information economics, environmental externalities, and public goods.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. ECON E-10a, ECON E-1000, or the equivalent; MATH E-8, or the equivalent understanding of introductory college-level algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ECON E-1010
Microeconomic Theory
Zinnia Mukherjee PhD, Associate Professor of Economics, Simmons University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16157 | Section 2
Description
This course covers the fundamental concepts of microeconomics at the intermediate level. Students learn about how individuals make decisions in a world of scarce resources. Students learn about how consumers choose over a range of goods and services given their limited resources, and how firms decide on how much output to produce and supply in the market. Our discussion on market structures focuses on the simplest of markets (perfectly competitive markets), single-seller markets (monopolies), and oligopolistic markets where firms are involved in strategic interactions with each other. We explore situations in which markets fail and the role of public policies in addressing these failures. The same principles that govern market-based decisions also govern non-market-based decisions. We apply the principles of microeconomics to understand how individuals make non-market related decisions.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. ECON E-10a, ECON E-1000, or the equivalent; MATH E-8, or the equivalent understanding of introductory college-level algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
ECON E-1010
Microeconomic Theory
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23285 | Section 1
Description
This course presents the basic analytical tools of microeconomics. We start by looking at the decision making of individual consumers and ask how these decisions can be optimized or improved. Next, we look at the ways firms make and coordinate their decisions under varying market structures, including perfect competition and monopoly. Then we look at strategic behavior in imperfectly competitive markets, making use of concepts from game theory such as Nash equilibrium. Finally, we study information economics and measures of social welfare.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. ECON E-10a, ECON E-1000, or the equivalent; MATH E-8, or the equivalent understanding of introductory college-level algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-1010
Microeconomic Theory
Alexis Montecinos PhD, Assistant Professor, Finance, Suffolk University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26839 | Section 2
Description
This course covers the fundamental concepts of microeconomics at the intermediate level. Students learn about how individuals make decisions in a world of scarce resources. Students learn about how consumers choose over a range of goods and services given their limited resources, and how firms decide on how much output to produce and supply in the market. Our discussion on market structures focuses on the simplest of markets (perfectly competitive markets), single-seller markets (monopolies), and oligopolistic markets where firms are involved in strategic interactions with each other. We explore situations in which markets fail and the role of public policies in addressing these failures. The same principles that govern market-based decisions also govern non-market-based decisions. We apply the principles of microeconomics to understand how individuals make non-market related decisions.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. ECON E-10a, ECON E-1000, or the equivalent; MATH E-8, or the equivalent understanding of introductory college-level algebra.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
ECON E-1017
Financing Community and Economic Development
James Carras MPA, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25617 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an understanding of financing mechanisms, tools, policies, and programs available to community and economic development professionals. The course focuses on access and availability of capital, both public and private, for businesses and real estate development projects that have an impact particularly on low opportunity communities. The course covers how capital markets operate and are structured; challenges for community economic development professionals to access those markets, business, and real estate financing fundamentals; public development finance tools including Opportunity Zone Funds, New Market Tax Credits and Community Development Financial Institutions; and capital access strategies such as Community Reinvestment Act research and advocacy. The course also addresses sustainable development and the role of development finance and impact investing. We explore the relationship between local community economic development, environmental sustainability, cultural vitality, and trends in the regional and national economies. Specifically, we focus on how to make community and economic investments that yield development outcomes that contribute to economic, environmental, and cultural vitality. This approach extends a triple bottom line approach that seeks to benefit profits, people, and the planet.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 55 students
ECON E-1035
Behavioral Economics and Decision Making
David S. McIntosh MBA, Founder, Creative Business Breakthroughs
Rob Duboff JD, Co-Founder, HawkPartners, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15713 | Section 1
Description
In this course we study how people actually make decisions, what rationality lies behind seemingly irrational behavior, and how decision making can be influenced. Building on economic principles useful in understanding business and consumer decision making, we study forces that prevent efficient and rational outcomes from occurring, as well as tools for influencing decisions.
Prerequisites: Introductory economics (ECON E-10a, ECON E-1000, or equivalent) required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ECON E-1040
Strategy, Conflict, and Cooperation
Robert Neugeboren PhD, Lecturer on Economics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17287 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the strategic way of thinking and a primer on the mathematical theory of games. Students learn about game theory through a combination of analytical techniques and a series of in-class and take-home exercises. Applications are drawn from economics and other social sciences. Topics include the prisoner’s dilemma and the arms race, the minimax theorem, Nash equilibrium, bargaining, subgame perfection, and the evolution of cooperation.
Prerequisites: MATH E-8 or the equivalent, or satisfactory placement test score.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
ECON E-10a
Principles of Economics
Rand Ghayad PhD, Senior Vice President of Policy and Chief Economist, Association of American Railroads
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16609 | Section 1
Description
The course deals with basic economic principles that help us understand the process of decision making by individuals and societies. We analyze the fundamental economic activities of production, distribution, exchange, and consumption at both the micro and macro level. Besides developing an understanding of the functioning of a free market system, we also critically examine the controversies that surround the use of public policies for the greater common good. Students may not take both ECON E-10a and ECON E-1000 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of elementary algebra and geometry is required. Students registering in this course for graduate credit are also required to have some basic knowledge of calculus, preferably a college-level course in calculus.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-10a
Principles of Economics
Stacey Gelsheimer PhD, Senior Lecturer on Economics, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25979 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introduction to current economic issues and to basic economic principles and methods. The economist John Maynard Keynes wrote that, “the ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood.” Economics is not primarily a set of answers, but rather a method of reasoning. By the end of the semester, students are able to use the analysis practiced in the course to form their own judgments about many of the major economic problems faced by the United States and other countries. In the first part of the semester, we focus on microeconomics, which is the study of the interaction of people and firms in markets. Since we live in a market economy, this study helps students to understand how American society organizes its economic affairs. We examine how the forces of supply and demand operate in the markets for goods and services. Students learn powerful tools that enable them to understand a great deal about the economy and how it works. Using these tools, we develop a framework to evaluate social policies. Trade always a controversial subject is analyzed, along with measures, such as tariffs, designed to restrict trade. Theories concerning firm behavior are then examined how companies decide how much to produce, and the profits which result. During the second half of the semester, we focus on macroeconomics, the study of the economy as a whole. We study economic growth and development, business cycles, and the impact of both monetary and fiscal policy on inflation, unemployment, interest rates, investment, the exchange rate, and international trade. Students may not take both ECON E-10a and ECON E-1000 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of elementary algebra and geometry is required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-150
Racial Equity and Economic Development
LaChaun Banks MBA, Professor of the Practice, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26850 | Section 1
Description
This course addresses the organizational, institutional, and public policy foundations of stratification and racial inequality in the United States, particularly racial equity as a key value, measure, and framework for preparing and implementing local economic development plans and policies. The course examines theory as well as the implementation of local policy initiatives for racial equity in US cities. Investigating a wide range of contemporary theory and practice in the field of urban economic development, students propose new recommendations and executive strategies for cities currently pursuing pro-growth agendas. The course focuses on the Harvard Bloomberg City Leadership Initiative’s Guide to Equitable Economic Development as a framework for discussion and the adoption of a city for further examination and recommendations. From redevelopment to entrepreneurship approaches, the course provides students with a working knowledge of local government approaches to more equitable economic development strategies; a critical point of view on the merits and limitations of these strategies; and formal opportunities to present new views to public and political actors in the field.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ECON E-1533
Monetary Policy After the Financial and Pandemic Crises
Dorian B. Klein MBA, Managing Partner, Klein Family Office
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26567 | Section 1
Description
This course closely examines the path of public policy, whether fiscal stimulus plans or the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, through the nuts and bolts of the actual operations and from the viewpoint of the capital markets. When the Fed or the European Central Bank announces a monthly $85 billion securities buying program, how exactly does this money flow through the markets? When the government bails out a major bank, how does this action affect the bank, its competitors, the markets, future perceptions, and the economy at large? How can central banks affect the economy in an environment of zero and even negative interest rates? Should regulation influence the behavior of firms or individuals? Using the 2008 financial crisis and policy responses thereto as a backdrop, we explore how (and whether) the new capital markets created over the past thirty years as a result of greatly increased financial innovation, globalization, and communication are distorting the economic effect of traditional government monetary and/or fiscal influence. The role of important constituents (commercial and investment banks, exchanges, regulators, hedge funds, and government interventions) are reviewed and evaluated for both past performance and future relevance. The course addresses important current topics in both economics and public policy, such as too big to fail, moral hazard, globalization of markets, currency unions, liquidity traps, efficiency of markets, the role of credit rating agencies, shadow banking, regulation of derivatives and hedge funds, Glass-Steagall, and the Volcker Rule. Following deliberations and analysis of the financial crisis of 2008-2009, we then examine the monetary and fiscal policy responses to the pandemic crisis of 2020-2022. Were these policy responses even more extreme? Did central banks overshoot? Were lessons learned from the financial crisis? Was it too much, leading to inflation and too much debt?
Prerequisites: ECON E-10a or ECON E-1000, and basic algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ECON E-1615
Managerial Economics
Aleksandar Tomic PhD, Associate Dean for Strategy, Innovation, and Technology and Director of Master of Science in Applied Analytics and Applied Economics, Woods College of Advancing Studies, Boston College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17277 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an overview of economic tools and analytic approaches available to the manager for business decision making. It includes such topics as pricing, forecasting, demand analysis, production and cost analysis, and macroeconomic policy as it affects the business environment. The purpose of this course is to develop an economic perspective that is appropriate for students aspiring to manage business units or entire companies in a wide variety of industries. Students may not take both ECON E-1600 and ECON E-1615 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. ECON E-10a, ECON E-1000, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-1700
Urban Development Policy
James Carras MPA, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15079 | Section 1
Description
This course reviews development policy making in urban areas, focusing on differing economic, demographic, institutional, and political settings. Course topics include a critical analysis of the continuing viability of cities in the context of current economic and demographic dynamics, fiscal stress, governance, economic development, poverty and race, drugs, homelessness, federal urban policy, and survival strategies for declining cities. The course considers economic development, social equity, and job growth in the context of metropolitan regions, and addresses federal, state, and local government strategies for expanding community economic development and affordable housing opportunities. Of special concern is the continuing spatial and racial isolation and concentration of low-income populations, especially minority populations, residing in urban communities including older, industrial cities. The course examines how market forces and pressures affect the availability of affordable housing, exacerbate the impacts of gentrification, and inhibit the availability of capital for affordable housing and economic development. It also examines how issues around growing housing affordability problems, the changing structure of capital markets, the reduction of low-skilled jobs in central city locations, and racial discrimination combine to limit housing and employment opportunities.
Prerequisites: Courses in sociology, political science, urban planning, architecture, public policy, and economics are helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 55 students
ECON E-1920
Capital Markets and Investments
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14510 | Section 1
Description
Students are exposed to the framework of modern portfolio theory and investment analysis with which they can critically evaluate alternatives relating to investing in financial securities and construct portfolios with desired risk/return characteristics. The course examines capital markets and fundamental models used in securities analysis and portfolio management. Topics include financial instruments, the organization of securities markets and trading, modern portfolio theory, asset pricing models, market efficiency, behavioral finance and technical analysis, bond valuation and the management of bond portfolios, valuation of equities, active versus passive investing, the role of derivative securities in investing, and performance evaluation.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2000 or the equivalent course or experience; a course or courses in quantitative methods such as basic statistics or college algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ECON E-1920
Capital Markets and Investments
Aleksandar Tomic PhD, Associate Dean for Strategy, Innovation, and Technology and Director of Master of Science in Applied Analytics and Applied Economics, Woods College of Advancing Studies, Boston College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26916 | Section 1
Description
Students are exposed to the framework of modern portfolio theory and investment analysis with which they can critically evaluate alternatives relating to investing in financial securities and construct portfolios with desired risk/return characteristics. The course examines capital markets and fundamental models used in securities analysis and portfolio management. Topics include financial instruments, the organization of securities markets and trading, modern portfolio theory, asset pricing models, market efficiency, behavioral finance and technical analysis, bond valuation and the management of bond portfolios, valuation of equities, active versus passive investing, the role of derivative securities in investing, and performance evaluation.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2000 or the equivalent course or experience; a course or courses in quantitative methods such as basic statistics or college algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 80 students
ECON E-1925
Emerging Markets: Investment Theories and Practice
Peter Marber PhD, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets, Aperture Investors, and Adjunct Instructor, Finance, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16930 | Section 1
Description
Globalization is no longer an academic theory; it is a reality that affects all of our lives. From the foods we eat to the goods we buy, the ubiquity of developing countries from Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and former Soviet Union those frequently referred to as emerging markets intensifies daily. Yet beyond the well-documented commercial and cultural impacts of globalization, there are strong but less visible trends toward greater global financial and investment integration. What makes emerging financial markets different from those in the US, Europe, or Japan? What are the benefits of adding these markets to a traditional investment portfolio? How do policies shape these markets? Why invest in certain countries versus others? Within a country, which asset class should we invest in? How do hedge funds approach these markets vs. traditional investors? How has COVID-19 pandemic altered the trajectories of developing and industrialized countries? From the practical perspective of a US institutional investor, this course is geared to help answer these questions.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of finance and a modest competency with Microsoft Excel and/or a financial calculator. Prior course work or work experience in finance would also be useful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ECON E-1944
History of Financial Crises 1637 to Present
John Komlos PhD, Professor of Economics, Emeritus, University of Munich
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26443 | Section 1
Description
The goal of this course is to discuss the almost 400 year history of financial crisis from the tulip bubble through the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 and culminating in the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank in 2023. We ascertain recurring historical patterns of financial bubbles without, however, overlooking critical differences. If history repeats itself, why can’t we avoid making the same mistakes repeatedly? The meltdown of 2008 happened at a time when most macroeconomists (including the former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke) were writing about how great everything was going since business cycles had vanished for all practical purposes. They were dead wrong. The historical evidence enables us to gain a more thorough understanding of global finance which influences our lives to such a great extent. Our primary aim is not to concentrate on facts, theorems, or numbers but rather to see the big picture in a multi-disciplinary and very-long-run perspective integrating the knowledge gained from the work of such Nobel Prize-winning behavioral economists as Robert Shiller and Daniel Kahneman. We also explore our current economic situation, including the aftermath of the Wall Street bailouts that forgot the people on Main Street and stood by as nine million people were evicted from their homes. We also discuss how the crisis contributed to the rise of populism and ends by outlining the main impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial world.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
EDUC E-103
Introduction to Instructional Design
Stacie Cassat Green MEd, Principal, 64 Crayons
Denise Snyder ALM, Director of Learning Design and Digital Innovation and Academic Affairs Campus Diversity Officer Liaison, Union College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14021 | Section 1
Description
Behind every good learning tool be it a website, application, webinar, online course, workshop, or interactive museum exhibit is the work of an instructional designer. Instructional design is a creative process that uses learning theories and frameworks, project planning, content expertise, communication, writing, and technology to architect experiences for today’s learners. The best instructional designers are agile and adaptable; they can quickly synthesize unfamiliar content, evaluate new technologies, and develop learning solutions that best meet the needs of a diverse audience. In this course, students work together to produce learning experiences using today’s media and technologies. The gap between theory and practice is an issue in many fields. By using a project-based approach, we work to close that gap by learning about instructional design theories and frameworks while developing a series of products; students submit a project every two weeks. This course is helpful for those professionals who work directly or indirectly to support and improve learning in their organizations, or those lifelong learners who want to better understand how to use technology to manage their own learning.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
EDUC E-103
Introduction to Instructional Design
Valerie Mann EdD, Associate Professor, College Success, Johnson County Community College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26467 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students learn application skills melding the best of learning strategies, learning theory, and mind-brain education research. This course is intended to provide managers, trainers, learning designers, and teachers with skills to manage their instructional design and teaching tools, while infusing learning strategies to maximize knowledge for varied types of learning preferences and needs. With practical application at the fore, students engage with current research, strategies for effective learning, and design principles to explore how these concepts can be applied to help learners achieve their best in the classroom and workplace, both face-to-face and online.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
EDUC E-103
Introduction to Instructional Design
Stacie Cassat Green MEd, Principal, 64 Crayons
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25190 | Section 2
Description
Behind every good learning tool be it a website, application, webinar, online course, workshop, or interactive museum exhibit is the work of an instructional designer. Instructional design is a creative process that uses learning theories and frameworks, project planning, content expertise, communication, writing, and technology to architect experiences for today’s learners. The best instructional designers are agile and adaptable; they can quickly synthesize unfamiliar content, evaluate new technologies, and develop learning solutions that best meet the needs of a diverse audience. In this course, students work together to produce learning experiences using today’s media and technologies. The gap between theory and practice is an issue in many fields. By using a project-based approach, we work to close that gap by learning about instructional design theories and frameworks while developing a series of products; students submit a project every two weeks. This course is helpful for those professionals who work directly or indirectly to support and improve learning in their organizations, or those lifelong learners who want to better understand how to use technology to manage their own learning.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
EDUC E-113
Applied Learning Design
Stacie Cassat Green MEd, Principal, 64 Crayons
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24800 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students use a design thinking methodology to design and develop an authentic learning product or experience. Each student prepares a product, such as a course or workshop, social learning community, website, or software application. Using rapid prototyping, students present several iterations of their designs to the class, participate in peer critiques, and continually improve their products over the semester. As instructional designers work in a team, each student contributes to, and benefits from, a class consulting bank. They use their skills to help others and to gain currency that they can exchange for help on their own projects. Students also explore additional instructional design frameworks and learning theories to improve fluency and flexible thinking in the field. Students may not take both EDUC E-113 and DGMD E-60 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: DGMD E-55, EDUC E-103, EDUC E-111, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
EDUC E-113
Applied Learning Design
Dustin Liu MEd, Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering and Design, Stanford University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26539 | Section 2
Description
In this course, students engage as designers to scope and prototype learning experiences that apply the principles of adult learning and development. Throughout the semester, students practice key components of the learning design process such as determining need and learning objectives and testing prototypes. Course topics include design thinking, instructional design models, learning technology, and learner engagement. The goal of the course is to equip students with the tools, mindsets, and frameworks to approach their work as designers of in-person, hybrid, and online learning. Students may not take both EDUC E-113 and DGMD E-60 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: DGMD E-55, EDUC E-103, EDUC E-111, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
EDUC E-115
Adult Learning Theories
Cindy M. Joyce MA, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Pillar Search and Human Resources Consulting
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16407 | Section 1
Description
Why is adult learning so important? When you understand adult learning, you have the knowledge and tools needed to tailor learning, training, and even feedback, ensuring that adult learners or your team members are motivated to learn and grow, connect with the learning experience, and eager to learn relevant material. Learning opportunities for adults are often modeled after how children are taught in grade school and high school. However, adults learn much differently from children, and their motivation to learn is vastly different as well. This course explores adult learning theory and practice, how to engage the adult learner, and how to provide learning opportunities that are meaningful. Human resources practitioners, trainers, instructional designers, managers, and leaders alike benefit from this course.
Prerequisites: Educational or work experience in education, teaching, organizational behavior, human resources, training, or instructional design.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-102
Introduction to Old English Language and Literature
Daniel Donoghue PhD, John P. Marquand Professor of English, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16766 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the earliest English literature, starting with basic grammar and building up to selections from various prose texts and poems such as The Wanderer and The Dream of the Rood. Because the language has changed so much over 1,000 years, Old English has to be learned as a foreign language (hence the emphasis on grammar), but by the end of one term of study, students read the most challenging and beautiful literature it has to offer. Secondary readings supplement the Old English texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENGL E-109
Tolkien’s Library
Daniel Donoghue PhD, John P. Marquand Professor of English, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26583 | Section 1
Description
J. R. R. Tolkien’s creative imagination was famously inspired by his wide reading in medieval texts from northwestern Europe, drawing from Old English, Old Icelandic, and other vernacular literatures. This course reads across the genres of literature familiar to Tolkien, including Beowulf and other Old English literature, Nj ls Saga and other Icelandic sagas, excerpts from the Finnish Kalevala, and Irish literature like the T in B C ailnge. The readings are in translation, with facing-page original texts where possible (especially Old English). Primary texts are supplemented by relevant works of criticism. We also dip into Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and his other high fantasy to note parallels.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
ENGL E-126
Shakespeare’s Tragedies
Elliott Turley PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26831 | Section 1
Description
This course surveys William Shakespeare’s tragedies, including famous works such as Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth, as well as less produced plays like Coriolanus and Titus Andronicus. Although the primary focus of study is the plays themselves, we also use them as launching points to consider a variety of topics and questions. Discussions and supplemental readings address the nature of tragedy and its purpose(s), the historical and political context for these plays in early modern England, their performance history and afterlives on stage and screen, and the role of Shakespeare as a cultural touchstone.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-142
Decadence, Degeneration, and Decline: The Popular British Novel
Margaret Deli PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16802 | Section 1
Description
The British Empire controlled roughly a quarter of the world by the end of the nineteenth century; its literature, however, was increasingly haunted by decline. This course explores why, by way of some of the writers and texts most responsible for shaping what it means to be British in our pop-cultural consciousness. Focusing on three kinds of breakdown aesthetic decadence, aristocratic degeneration, and imperial decline our course links popular texts like Dracula (1897), Brideshead Revisited (1945), and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974) to the emergence of a new kind of British power based on myth and nostalgia. We also think about decline as a shaper of modernism, the political power of decline, and the cultural afterlives of the texts we encounter.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENGL E-144
Finnegans Wake and Comparative Literature
John T. Hamilton PhD, William R. Kenan Professor of German and Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17191 | Section 1
Description
The course undertakes a close examination of James Joyce’s major work with an emphasis on Finnegans Wake, read in view of comparative literary theories and methods.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Comparative Literature 101X. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Wednesdays, 12:45-2:45 pm starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENGL E-168
Hemingway: A Survey
Margaret Deli PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26825 | Section 1
Description
When Ernest Hemingway died in 1961, his work was already beginning to fall out of critical favor and off university syllabi. And yet he was indisputably the most famous writer in the world: the winner of the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature and the best-selling author of The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea. The ensuing decades have done little to dampen Hemingway’s popular appeal (there are Hemingway writing contests, Hemingway drinking contests, and even a Hemingway furniture line). What are we to make of the longstanding rift between Hemingway’s critical fortunes and his contemporary celebrity? Our course takes a broad view of Hemingway’s life and work to explore these and other questions related to his literary craftsmanship and popular appeal. Students should expect to read extensively, not just the novels and short stories of Ernest Hemingway but the work of mentors and rivals like Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-182h
Poetry in America: Whitman and Dickinson
Elisa New PhD, Powell M. Cabot Professor of American Literature, Harvard University
Jesse Benjamin Raber PhD, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17186 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the poetry of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, two influential and iconic American poets of the nineteenth century. First, we encounter Walt Whitman, a quintessentially American writer whose work continues to bear heavily upon the American poetic tradition. We explore Whitman’s relationship to the city, the self, and the body through his life and poetry. Then, we turn to Emily Dickinson, one of America’s most distinctive and prolific poets. While Dickinson wrote nearly 2,000 poems during her lifetime, she chose never to publish, opting instead to revisit and revise her works throughout her lifetime. Keeping this dynamic of self-revision in mind, we consider a number of Dickinson’s poems concerned with nature, art, the self, and darkness. We travel to the Dickinson Collection at Harvard’s Houghton Library, and to Amherst, Massachusetts, paying a visit to the house in which the poet lived and wrote until her death in 1886.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit, undergraduate, graduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is offered in partnership with the Poetry in America initiative. Teachers may apply for Poetry in America scholarships.
ENGL E-182m
Poetry in America: From the Civil War through Modernism
Elisa New PhD, Powell M. Cabot Professor of American Literature, Harvard University
Jesse Benjamin Raber PhD, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25016 | Section 1
Description
This course spans a critical era in American literature, beginning with antebellum and Civil War poetry, entering the twentieth century, and traversing the transformative modernist era. This course begins with the poetry of the American Civil War and the series of major events and social movements that followed it including Reconstruction, the Jim Crow Era, and Manifest Destiny. Encountering such poets as Herman Melville, Julia Ward Howe, Walt Whitman, Edward Arlington Robinson, Paul Laurence Dunbar, James Weldon Johnson, Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, Emma Lazarus, and W.E.B. DuBois, we examine the language of patriotism, pride, violence, loss, and memory inspired by the nation’s greatest conflict. As we enter the twentieth century, we encounter modernism, a movement that spanned the decades from the 1910s to the mid-1940s, and whose poetry marked a clear break from past traditions and past forms. We read such poets as Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Marianne Moore, Langston Hughes, William Carlos Williams, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Claude McKay, Dorothy Parker, and Wallace Stevens. We study how these poets employed the language of rejection and revolution, of making and remaking, of artistic appropriation and cultural emancipation. Traveling to the homes and workplaces of Robert Frost and Wallace Stevens; to the Poetry Foundation in Chicago, where the institution of American modernism was born; and even exploring the River Thames in the London of Eliot’s The Waste Land, we see the sites that witnessed and cultivated the rise of American modernism.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit, undergraduate, graduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is offered in partnership with the Poetry in America (PiA) initiative. Teachers may apply for Poetry in America scholarships.
ENGL E-183b
Seeing Nature in the Twentieth Century
Collier Brown PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16901 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students survey important contributions to modern American environmental literature. From the gritty social realism of the early 1900s to the post-pastoral lyricism of the early 2000s, we consider the diverse ways in which Americans have grappled with environmental issues in fiction, poetry, and even some photography. Our readings include writers like Mary Austin, Annie Dillard, Leslie Marmon Silko, Helena Mar a Viramontes, and Rachel Carson.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
ENGL E-192
Poetry at the End of the World
Collier Brown PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26666 | Section 1
Description
In this era of global environmental degradation what we are growing accustomed to calling the later Anthropocene many poets have turned their attention to the subject of human kinship and interdependency with the non-human world. And in this course, we read a number of poets, from the early twentieth century to the present, from A.R. Ammons to Ada Lim n, whose poems insist on a different way on an ecological way of seeing and talking about nature. This course may interest not only poetry enthusiasts but students of the environmental humanities more broadly: sustainability, literature, history, theater, and creative writing.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
ENGL E-205
Adapting Myth in Modern and Contemporary Drama
Elliott Turley PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17190 | Section 1
Description
Although the term myth suggests very old stories, mythologies themselves continue to grow and change over time. This course examines how modern and contemporary playwrights adapt mythic materials to new contexts, not only drawing on myth but also changing the nature of myth itself. Several of the plays we examine reinterpret Greek myth, including Marina Carr’s and Cherr e Moraga’s Medea adaptations By the Bog of Cats and The Hungry Woman (respectively), Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, and Suzan-Lori Parks’ Odyssey-inspired Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2, and 3), but we also draw upon other mythic traditions as well, as in works by Wole Soyinka, Girish Karnad, and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. In addition to gaining familiarity with several important works of the modern stage, the course interrogates what exactly makes something a myth and how mythology continues to operate in the present day.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-207
The Culture of Capitalism
Martin Puchner PhD, Byron and Anita Wien Professor of Drama and of English and Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16442 | Section 1
Description
The course asks how cultural products, including literature, theater, and film have captured the spirit of capitalism fueling its fantasies, contemplating its effects, and chronicling its crises. More than just an economic system, capitalism created new habits of life and mind as well as new values, forged and distilled by new forms of art. Core readings by Franklin, O’Neill, Rand, Miller, and Mamet and background readings by Smith, Marx, Taylor, Weber, Keynes, and Schumpeter.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the 2013 Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences course Culture and Belief 56.
ENGL E-225
The Novella: A Global History
Morgan Day Frank PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17178 | Section 1
Description
Shorter than a novel but longer than a short story, the novella is one of the major prose forms in global literary culture today. This course takes students through almost seven centuries of cultural history to understand the novella’s evolution into its now recognizable form. We begin with early examples, including stories from Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron and Miguel de Cervantes’s Exemplary Novellas, and then move on to modern works such as Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room, and Elena Ferrante’s Days of Abandonment. How do formal categories like character and plot operate in a genre that is out of step with our normal sense of narrative scale? How have external conditions in literary culture for instance, the emergence of mass magazines at the end of the nineteenth century and the rise of the creative writing program after World War II influenced the writing of novellas? What even is a novella? What unifies this unruly tradition? These sorts of questions guide us as we grapple with thirteen classic novellas over the course of the semester.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
ENGL E-234
Art of the Personal Essay
Collier Brown PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26543 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we look at the art of the essay from the sixteenth-century to the present, making important stops along the way at the works of Michel de Montaigne (who first popularized the genre), William Hazlitt, Virginia Woolf, and James Baldwin, right up to today’s most innovative essayists writers like Rebecca Solnit, Janet Malcolm, and Ross Gay. This course would be of interest to nonfiction writers curious about the history of their craft and the evolution of the form over time.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ENGL E-259
What Was American Transcendentalism?
Ross Martin PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26617 | Section 1
Description
The transcendentalists can be described in a word: firebrands. From civil disobedience to heresy, from abolitionism to utopianism, this course explores how transcendentalism takes root in New England to generate some of the most radical experiments in Antebellum America life. However, regardless of transcendentalism’s fame, or how illustrious its members, or how canonical its texts, we have no satisfactory way to define the movement or its achievements. What does it even mean to transcend? Transcend what and to where? In this course, we attempt to figure out what transcendentalism is and why it matters by traversing its theological, historical, and literary contexts. Tracing (or perhaps dissolving) the boundary between human, world, and god, we investigate how intellectual and social revolution happens without distinguishing poetry from science, religion from politics, accident from fate, and perhaps even transcendence from immanence. We ask, among other questions, what are our obligations to ourselves and our neighbors or to animals and plants? Are we bound to respect what violates our conscience? How do we embrace both individualism and collectivism? All said, what do the transcendentalists teach us about rights and responsibilities in our own time?
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-260
Campus Literature
Ian Shank MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26625 | Section 1
Description
For generations, writers of all stripes have looked to the college campus as both a window into the future and an invented setting from which to reimagine it. In this course, we do the same. Moving from John Williams’ Stoner to Christine Smallwood’s The Life of the Mind, we examine the evolving history of American higher education over the past century through the lens of its accompanying literature, with a particular emphasis on the campus novel. In doing so, our goal is to not only understand why the modern American university looks and operates the way it does, but also explore where it goes from here. Along the way, we also consider the ways that different writers have used the setting of the college campus to advance a range of political and aesthetic agendas, and then use what we learn to craft compelling campus literature of our own. Prior guest speakers for this course have included several of the novelists we study, as well as prominent historians and literary critics from The New Yorker and The New York Times.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-261
George Saunders: A Survey
Ian Shank MFA, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16993 | Section 1
Description
In just over two decades, George Saunders has achieved the kind of literary prominence that eludes most writers for life. Widely recognized as the best short-story writer in English alive today, Saunders has won the Man Booker Prize, the National Book Award, a MacArthur Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship not to mention four National Magazine Awards among numerous other accolades for his fiction, nonfiction, and teaching. In this course, we take a broad view of Saunders’ life and work, asking ourselves what his writing can teach us about voice, prose style, and the state of contemporary American literature more broadly. Over the term, students should expect to read extensively in service to a final creative or analytical essay on a related topic of their choosing.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-265
Dante’s Divine Comedy: What Love Makes of Life and Learning
Theoharis C. Theoharis PhD, Associate Scholar, Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17183 | Section 1
Description
Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, written during his 20-year exile from Florence and finished in 1320, is a vast, encyclopedic study of world history, scientific knowledge, political theory, poetics, and Christian metaphysics in medieval Europe. This learned adventure of the mind discovering reality is also an intimately personal love story, showing how Dante’s life went disastrously wrong when he lost his beloved, Beatrice, and how he put it right again by traveling, alive, through the three realms of the afterlife inferno, purgatory, and paradise to find her again. One life and the life of the world coincide in that redemptive journey. In every encounter with every soul he meets in the afterlife, Dante portrays the soul flourishing when desire aligns with reality and perishing when it does not. Analyzing Dante’s epic, systematic portrayal of the soul’s choice for bliss or woe is the main work in this course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
ENGL E-275
Illustration in American Children’s Literature
Emily Gowen PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26832 | Section 1
Description
This course traces the history of illustrated books for children from early colonial America to the present, inviting students to explore intersections between a text’s visual elements and its didactic aims. Beginning with the New England Primer, we work chronologically through a range of pamphlets, chapbooks, dime novels, comic books, fairy tales, toy books, and early readers in order to develop an understanding of the history and evolution of one of literature’s most beloved and familiar forms. What is the relationship between illustration and literacy education? How do images affect the way books are bought and sold? What kinds of reading do illustrations invite children and their caregivers to perform? What do works published by Isaiah Thomas (an eighteenth-century publisher who popularized children’s literature in New England) have in common with stories by Margaret Wise Brown, Ezra Jack Keats, and Christian Robinson? How do the first books we encounter shape us and what can they help us understand about the culture at large? We explore these and other questions throughout our time together, as we map the relationship between today’s market for children’s books and the rich and contested history of the form.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 10:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
ENGL E-290
Masters of the Modernist Short Story: Anton Chekhov, James Joyce, Eudora Welty, and Alice Munro
Theoharis C. Theoharis PhD, Associate Scholar, Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26821 | Section 1
Description
Anton Chekhov and James Joyce were innovators whose short masterpieces in large part created the style and vision that was named modernist in the twentieth century. Eudora Welty and Alice Munro continued innovative portrayal of the humane irony and the moral acuteness present in Chekhov’s and Joyce’s vision of life, and added new comedy and intimacy to plot structure, character portrayal, and unified effect, the technical matters that comprise the artistic pleasure found in the modernist short story’s style. All four writers in the course focus their tales on ordinary circumstances which give rise to poignant, startling revelations of how we make, and are made, what we are in the world. The course’s aim is to understand how these revelations arise when a writer masters what Chekhov called “the compactness that makes things alive.”
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENGL E-300
Poetry in America for Teachers: The City from Whitman to Hip Hop
Elisa New PhD, Powell M. Cabot Professor of American Literature, Harvard University
Jesse Benjamin Raber PhD, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26826 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we consider those American poets whose themes, forms, and voices have given expression to visions of the city since 1850. Beginning with Walt Whitman, the great poet of nineteenth-century New York, we explore the diverse and ever-changing environment of the modern city from Chicago to London, from San Francisco to Detroit through the eyes of such poets as Carl Sandburg, Emma Lazarus, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Langston Hughes, Marianne Moore, Frank O’Hara, Gwendolyn Brooks, Allen Ginsberg, Robert Hayden, and Robert Pinsky, as well as contemporary hip hop and spoken word artists. This course introduces content and techniques intended to help students and educators learn how to read texts of increasing complexity. Readings and activities were chosen and designed with the Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) standards in grades six through 12 in mind. Enrollment is not limited to teachers. Students with an interest in education, or with the poets and poems covered in this course, are welcome to enroll.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit, undergraduate, graduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is offered in partnership with the Poetry in America (PiA) initiative. The course is also offered in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). Teachers enrolled for noncredit who are interested in professional development can earn certificates of participation for 90 professional development hours from HGSE’s Professional Education. Teachers may apply for Poetry in America scholarships.
ENGL E-305
Poetry in America for Teachers: Earth, Sea, Sky
Elisa New PhD, Powell M. Cabot Professor of American Literature, Harvard University
Jesse Benjamin Raber PhD, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17272 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed specifically for secondary school educators interested in deepening their expertise as readers and teachers of literature. In the course, we consider the evolving relationship of American poets to the environment from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Emily Dickinson, whose poems on the landscape of rural Massachusetts from the 1850s to 1880s drew from the science and the incipient environmental movements of that century, is a touchstone for the course. But her sparse lyrics are only one of the poetic technologies of looking at, caring for, and mourning the destruction of, the natural world that we explore together: from haiku, to African American poems of exploitative agrarianism and fantastical gardening, to poems that expand the scope of nature from the vast and inhuman to the birdcalls echoing in urban backyards. Through field trips, classroom visits, and conversations with ecologists, scientists, gardeners, farmers and other guest interpreters, this course familiarizes students with a variety of canonical and contemporary American poets: Robert Frost, Jean Toomer, Lorine Niedecker, Gary Snyder, A.R. Ammons, Robinson Jeffers, Juliana Spahr, Ross Gay, and more.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit, undergraduate, graduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course is offered in partnership with the Poetry in America (PiA) initiative. The course is also offered in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). Teachers enrolled for noncredit who are interested in professional development can earn certificates of participation for 90 professional development hours from HGSE’s Professional Education. Teachers may apply for Poetry in America scholarships.
ENGL E-597
English Precapstone: The Novel and Its Contexts
Duncan White DPhil, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15775 | Section 1
Description
This course prepares students to write their Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) capstone project. We read novels from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that both reflected and shaped the historical moment of their creation. In doing so we attended to the history and evolution of the novel as a form while also exploring the different approaches literary critics have taken to interpreting and analyzing works of narrative fiction. As we read these novels closely, we think about how they raise pressing social, economic, and political questions, consider their circulation and reception, and reflect on the role of representation, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. By the end of the semester, students are equipped with the critical tools to embark on writing an independent scholarly research paper for their capstone project in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, English, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, ENGL E-599, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
ENGL E-599
English Capstone: The Novel and Its Contexts
Duncan White DPhil, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25383 | Section 1
Description
This course guides students through every step of writing their independent research paper. Building on the work done in the prior precapstone course, students work through the progressive stages of writing a research paper, incorporating peer workshop feedback, and skill-building exercises to help them produce work that reaches the high standards of an academic journal article. Students write proposals, conduct a literature review, develop theses and scholarly interventions, and work through multiple drafts, before producing their final capstone paper.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, English, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, ENGL E-597, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
ENVR E-100
Introduction to Sustainability
Michaela J. Thompson PhD, Lecturer in Anthropology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26485 | Section 1
Description
This course explores contemporary understandings and practical implications of the idea of sustainability. Throughout the semester we investigate the meanings and measures that different groups have given to sustainability; explore tools for analyzing the complex social-environmental systems that we seek to develop sustainably; and examine how societies have avoided depleting resources while instituting practical action that advances sustainability effectively and equitably.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
ENVR E-101
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development
Michael Mortimer PhD, Director, Graduate Sustainability Program and Global Development Practice, Harvard Extension School
Nazeli Tonoyan MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 11925 | Section 1
Description
The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are socially constructed and subject to multiple interpretations of meaning. Consider that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Human Development Index (HDI) reflect the Washington Consensus and perhaps a western (or global north) bias, driving investment and programming worldwide in particular ways. In other words, there are differing frames by which sustainability and sustainable development can be viewed to define goals, actions, successes, and failures. The tenets and applications of sustainability and sustainable development are not universal and are invariably situational, contextual, and arguable.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b or EXPO E-42c are highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 10:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-101
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Sustainability and Global Development
Michael Mortimer PhD, Director, Graduate Sustainability Program and Global Development Practice, Harvard Extension School
Nazeli Tonoyan MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25505 | Section 1
Description
The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are socially constructed and subject to multiple interpretations of meaning. Consider that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Human Development Index (HDI) reflect the Washington Consensus and perhaps a western (or global north) bias, driving investment and programming worldwide in particular ways. In other words, there are differing frames by which sustainability and sustainable development can be viewed to define goals, actions, successes, and failures. The tenets and applications of sustainability and sustainable development are not universal and are invariably situational, contextual, and arguable.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b or EXPO E-42c are highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 10:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-102
Design of Renewable Energy Projects
Ramon Sanchez ScD, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26853 | Section 1
Description
This course helps develop the skills to design, fund, and implement renewable energy projects in the United States and around the world. It is aimed at anyone who would like to understand the relationship between energy and the environment, but is particularly helpful for energy developers and current or future professionals in the practice of renewable energy. Students learn the basics of how to design photovoltaic, wind, biomass, geothermal, small-hydro, wastewater to energy, solid waste to energy, and other large scale sustainable energy operations. Students also learn about the best global practices for engaging rural and indigenous communities in renewable energy projects while maximizing economic development and social equity. They learn how to deal with other important issues like negotiating land rights for renewable energy projects, how to encourage public utilities and private corporations to sign long-term agreements for purchasing renewable energies, how to prepare project proposals for international financial institutions and private investors who fund these projects, how to estimate the basic health and environmental benefits derived from proposed renewable energy projects, how to monetize health effects of renewable energy projects, and how to quantify the social benefits of such projects in the community.
Prerequisites: High school math and science.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 75 students
ENVR E-102a
Innovative Technologies and Practices for Climate Change Resilience
Ramon Sanchez ScD, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17164 | Section 1
Description
Students in this course learn how to analyze emerging innovative technologies and practices comprehensively, how to assess their climate change and health impacts, recommendations to facilitate their implementation, and how to use green and social financial instruments to foster equitable social development while decreasing community vulnerabilities and increasing climate change resilience. Among some of the technologies and practices analyzed are advanced low-energy desalination systems, rainwater traps, advanced sustainable aquaculture systems, sustainable irrigation and soil reforming for sustainable agriculture, techniques to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in meat and protein production, biodegradable solar systems, bladeless wind generation technologies, microalgae farming for food and fuels, biodegradable plastics manufacturing, plasma gasification of agricultural and municipal waste for electricity generation, carbon capture and sequestration technologies in power plants, lithium extraction from fossil saltwater in fracking operations, advanced hydrogen production systems using renewable energies, and advanced electric vehicles and geo-engineering technologies. Students also assess community vulnerabilities and recommend risk reduction technologies and practices to increase resilience. Additionally, students learn how to monetize health, environmental, and social benefits for each technology or sustainable practice to use municipal bonds, green financing mechanisms from banks, carbon offset exchanges, and some government grants to fund their implementation in the community.
Prerequisites: Basic high school math and science.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 75 students
ENVR E-110
Sustainable Ocean Environments
George D. Buckley MS, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 21784 | Section 1
Description
The world’s oceans and coastal environments provide vital ecological services such as climate moderation, oxygen, food, energy, habitats, biodiversity, and natural flood control, as well as important services such as fisheries, global transportation, minerals, recreation, and tourism. We study those and other topics and their related environmental impacts such as coastal development and pollution, and related management strategies including the future of blue technologies. We investigate ways to be involved in ocean issues and life-long learning opportunities.
Prerequisites: High school biology.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-113
International Political Economy of Decarbonization
Juergen Braunstein PhD, Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26231 | Section 1
Description
Starting with the economic aspects of global decarbonization, this course examines emerging issues raised by the transition to a low carbon economy its impact on jobs, inequality, finance, trade, mobility, and infrastructure for citizens, societies, and nations. Choices about global decarbonization are highly contested in terms of material interests and ideologies, and they raise a set of new questions at the intersection of climate change, geo-economics, national policies, and global politics. These questions include: how does the energy transition affect the global economic order? Will a greener future lead to fewer resource conflicts around carbon resources? Is green the new gold? How does the low carbon transition affect the value of carbon assets? Is the US equipped to sustain its role as global leader in finance? How does the sustainable transition affect international trade flows? Is a carbon adjustment tax a stepping stone towards decarbonized trade? What is the prospect of green trade wars erupting? Students may not take both DEVP E-180 and ENVR E-113 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-116
The Carbon Economy: Calculating, Managing, and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Marlon Robert Banta ALM, Director, Product Definition, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation
Richard Goode MBA, Partner, PwC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17158 | Section 1
Description
The global economy is undergoing a fundamental transformation to low-carbon technologies from electric vehicles becoming mainstream and large-scale solar, wind, and even battery installations. Many countries and companies understand that this fourth industrial revolution will change everything, and face risks as well as opportunities. Some countries are establishing policies that decarbonize their economy to avoid the worst effects of a two degrees Celsius rise in temperatures. Organizations should start to develop and implement a two degrees Celsius strategy by clearly understanding their exposure to climate-related risks and identifying best practices for adapting to new carbon regulation, along with transforming their businesses by deploying sustainable energy practices. Understanding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including how to calculate them and the importance of reporting them publicly, is vital to understanding how to identify sources of emission and how to reduce them. This course teaches students how to measure, report, and reduce GHG emissions with an eye toward understanding the roles that energy choices and usage play in reducing emissions.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
ENVR E-116a
Measuring and Mitigating Indirect Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Michael Macrae PhD, Director, World Resources Institute
Marlon Robert Banta ALM, Director, Product Definition, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation
Richard Goode MBA, Partner, PwC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26810 | Section 1
Description
Mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting is now the law in 40 countries across the world, including the United Kingdom, many European Union member states, North America, Australia, Japan and soon South Africa. This course investigates best practices and approaches to measuring and mitigating indirect GHG emissions, also known as Scope 3 emissions. These emissions include all indirect GHG emissions that occur in a value chain and therefore outside the direct control of a typical organization. Supply chain emissions are frequently the largest overall source of an organization’s GHG emissions and are becoming an increasingly relevant topic as more companies outsource manufacturing, logistics, and other key functions to third parties. Waste, water use, and GHG emissions are still incurred in bringing products and services to consumers, but they are often not fully accounted for. Proper accounting for these emissions that are known contributors to climate change is coming under increasing scrutiny through major disclosure initiatives including the passage of California Senate Bill 253, The Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act and the European Commission’s European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which require businesses to publicly report their GHG emissions. Similar initiatives have also been proposed by the US Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC) and other regions around the world. Students in this course learn the foundational skills necessary for organizations to comply with these GHG emission disclosures, including how to gather data from disparate sources, how to calculate or estimate emissions, and how the procurement of supplies, services, and travel can be managed to mitigate or even reduce indirect emissions. The course also familiarizes students with leading measurement and goal setting standards (the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the Climate Registry, Science Based Targets, and the Carbon Disclosure Project or CDP) and investigates indirect emissions reduction efforts that are underway at several leading Fortune 500 companies as well as universities, municipalities, and government agencies.
Prerequisites: ENVR E-116 is encouraged but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
ENVR E-117
Sustainability Leadership for the Twenty-First Century
Leith Sharp MEd, Director, Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Jack Spengler PhD, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13543 | Section 1
Description
To inspire and enable people to lead effective change towards environmental sustainability, this course is designed to enhance individual change agency skills as applied to a variety of organizational contexts (education, business, government, nonprofit, church, and community). The course explores what change leadership for sustainability is and guides students to advance their related capabilities, competencies, and strategies. The personal, interpersonal, organizational, and technical dimensions of change leadership for sustainability are addressed. A variety of specific case studies and examples of sustainability in practice, including everything from green building design and renewable energy to environmental purchasing are explored. Interdependencies between finance, politics, relationships, capacity building, and technology are discussed. Students leave with an experiential knowledge of change management because they are required to complete a project involving a real-life change leadership project of their choice. Students typically find this project to be both deeply rewarding and central to the development of their knowledge and confidence as change managers.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Required sections Wednesdays, 7:40-9:40 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENVR E-119d
Decarbonizing the Building Sector
Paul Ormond MS, Efficiency Engineer, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24776 | Section 1
Description
It is within reach to decarbonize the building sector within the next few decades. This can be accomplished with a combination of better buildings (such as Passive House), electrification, and a renewably-powered electrical grid. Buildings can also be built with their own on-site renewables to create a net zero energy building. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of our greening grid, zero energy buildings, and Passive House buildings. Topics include grid fundamentals, building energy dynamics, emissions profiles, renewable systems, energy economics, passive architecture, energy budgets, site and source energy, policy, codes, financing, and incentive structures. A variety of assignments, projects, and teaching tools are used in this course, including analysis assignments, a team pitch, weekly report-outs, a textbook and numerous references, live guest speakers, and a guest speaker library.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:00pm-10:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-119e
Sustainable Infrastructure
Cristina Contreras Casado ALM, Founder and Managing Director, Sinfranova LLC
Judith Irene Rodriguez MA, Senior Research Associate, Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure, Harvard Graduate School of Design and Research Specialist, Healthy Cities Lab, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25775 | Section 1
Description
Sustainable infrastructure (SI) has been recognized as the central pillar of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable infrastructure strives to enhance access to basic services, promote environmental sustainability, and support inclusive growth through its endeavor to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs), while looking for pathways to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This course introduces students to the current landscape of sustainability assessment tools and explores the benefits that sustainable projects bring to public and private entities, local communities, and the planet in general. We ask the following key questions: what is sustainable infrastructure? What are the main features of a sustainable project? How do these features overlap or differ from the SDGs? How can infrastructure and urban development projects align with SI practices and the SDGs? To answer these questions, we use real-world case studies. Considering the mandate of the 2030 agenda, “leave no one behind,” specific attention is given to how different stakeholders participate in the process.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-119g
Sustainable Cities
Nora Libertun de Duren PhD, Head of Knowledge in Urban Development and Housing, Inter-American Development Bank
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17185 | Section 1
Description
More than half of the world’s population (54 percent according to the World Health Organization) live in urban areas, and this share is expected to grow in the future (65 percent by 2050 according to the United Nations). However, urban life is currently far from sustainable due to inequality, poverty, poor air quality, high risk of natural disasters and climate change, and lack of access to energy, water, and waste treatment. Faced with these challenges, member countries of the United Nations adopted in 2015 an agenda for 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with one of these goals focused on “making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Therefore, the future of urban societies, and thus of most of the world’s population, depends on our ability to design, build, and run cities in a sustainable manner. This course aims at contributing to this goal by surveying the scientific principles of sustainability at the urban level, exploring cities and their metabolism as systems of systems. It covers the main challenges that cities of every size are facing: governance, inclusive urban economic development, national/regional development planning, safety, citizen participation, risk and vulnerability reduction, air quality, resource efficiency, and access to universal basic services, housing, and infrastructures. By paying attention to the contextual factors in which these challenges play out for different types of cities, students not only gain a general understanding of the key dimensions of urban sustainability, but they also learn fundamental governance aspects in cities, such as the need to create partnerships and establish radical collaborations between diverse stakeholders to foster urban transformations.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-128
Food and Greed: Implications for Human Health and Sustainability
Jennifer Rivers Cole PhD, Associate Professor, American University of Afghanistan
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26814 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationship between food and greed, focusing on its implications for human health and sustainability. It examines the dark side of industrialized agriculture and poses simple yet powerful interdisciplinary solutions. The course highlights problems associated with affluence and the resultant expectation of any food at any time. We investigate market distortions, health risks, government subsidies making processed food cheaper than healthy food, fair trade, ethics and equitable distribution of food, alternative farming techniques (integrated pest management and permaculture), corporations and big agriculture (Monsanto and Cargill), climate change and carnivores, factory farming and animal feed, habitat destruction and land use conversion including prioritization based on ecosystem services to humanity, agrochemical and pesticide biomagnification, high density farming techniques (vertical farming), fast food, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Emphasis is placed on US and global food subsidies, including origins and underpinnings. Participants solve a problem within the industrialized food system by critically analyzing how the pursuit of profit, excessive consumption, and unethical practices within the global food system impact both individual well-being and the long-term viability of our planet. By examining case studies, research findings, and policy frameworks, students gain a deep understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding food and greed, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to address these challenges.
Prerequisites: ENVR E-131 is recommended, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-129a
Local to Global Agroecology
Dan Goldhamer MS, Instructor, University of Colorado and Co-research Lead and Director of Programs, Office of Engagement and Extension, Colorado State University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16158 | Section 1
Description
Agriculture is one of humanity’s oldest pursuits and yet it is far from perfected. In this time of climate change and ecological degradation, a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions and damage to ecosystems can be traced back to the way in which humans produce food, feed, fuel, and fiber. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that 10-12 percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are due to agriculture. Agriculture is also tied to ecological degradation including deforestation, depletion and contamination of water and soil resources, and chemical pollution. However, many individuals and organizations are discovering innovative and tailored solutions to these problems. Addressing the ecological and climate change challenges of agriculture in the next ten years will be essential to ensure a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and to creating resilient production systems. This course provides a broad introduction to the underlying biology and ecology of crop and animal agricultural production systems. We explore how different production techniques including conventional, organic, and regenerative, operate in both a dryland and irrigated setting. Students in this course gain a greater understanding of the realities that agricultural producers must face every day in their quest to feed themselves and the world. The goal of this course is to equip students with a basic understanding of the ecology of agricultural systems, gain applicable vocabulary and concepts related to agriculture, and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities farmers face when seeking sustainable solutions. We explore crop and animal agriculture at scales ranging from kitchen gardens to thousands of acres. We also explore the various tools, techniques, and technologies farmers employ throughout the globe.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-131
Food Systems and Global Supply Chains
Jennifer Rivers Cole PhD, Associate Professor, American University of Afghanistan
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17168 | Section 1
Description
This course is intended for students interested in the supply-chain side of sustainable food. Of all the activities humans engage in on Earth, agriculture has the single biggest environmental impact. This course looks in detail at the supply chain of food production and the impact assessment of global food production. Together we investigate how food passes from production to distribution and consumption and what the sustainability ramifications are, specifically on air, water, soil, energy, mining, and human health. This is a research-based course where participants choose related food scenarios and quantify their impact on greenhouse gases and climate change; energy use; air, water, and soil degradation; and solid waste disposal. Topics include genetic modification of food for increased productivity, meat and dairy, additives for shelf stability, organic and local food, the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp, food subsidies, aquaculture, packaging and transportation, fast food, and food safety. The first part of the course is a series of lectures covering the principles of economics as they pertain to agriculture; agricultural styles and practices; soil resources and problems; and the myriad ways we pollute the Earth’s air, soil, and water as we obtain food. The second part of the course is a series of papers and discussion on supply-chain management and simple modeling scenarios designed to quantify the economics and sustainability of common food items.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-132
How to Decarbonize the Energy Sector: Real-World Implications in Power and Transportation
James Koehler MA, Partner and Renewable Energy Practice Lead, Renewables and Innovation, Daymark Energy Advisors
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17194 | Section 1
Description
Climate change cannot be adequately addressed without decarbonizing the energy sector, given that it is the largest source of US greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) around 50 percent of the total. But what does that entail? How does this transition to renewable sources happen while maintaining system reliability, expanding access, and limiting cost impacts to customers? The goal of this course is to prepare students to work in this sector as it undergoes these rapid changes. Whether you’re making a career transition or just embarking on your career, understanding the unique structures, markets, and challenges of this industry is essential to increasing your competitive value in the workforce. This course examines the robust ecosystem of renewable and traditional energy companies, investors, regulators, and customers that comprise the power and transportation sectors. Some of the key questions that are addressed include: what are the unique characteristics of the power sector? How do they differ from the structure, markets, and policy that govern the transportation sector? How do these unique structures, markets, financial risks, and regulatory responsibilities dictate the renewable options available? How can government policy shape this outcome? And perhaps most importantly, how do financial considerations and investors influence this transition?
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, September 4-December 18, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENVR E-135b
Sustainable Business in the Twenty-First Century
Matthew Gardner PhD, Managing Partner, Sustainserv, Inc.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25745 | Section 1
Description
. These three modules (the business case for change, driving change at scale, and purpose driven systemic change) are expanded upon with guest speakers, real world case studies, and in-depth discussions. Each week students analyze examples from companies in a variety of industries to show how sustainability is integrated into their business models and to explore what opportunities still exist for companies to improve. The course uses case studies from publicly traded companies, augmented by links to various forms of information for students to compare and contrast throughout the semester. Information is presented from academic research, white papers published by respected scholars and experts, and the actual disclosures of major multinational companies. The case method is used to provide a participative and realistic forum that enables students to learn about sustainability while also developing the skills to use the information. In addition to receiving course credit, students who successfully complete this course for undergraduate or graduate credit can earn a certificate of completion from Harvard Business School Online.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-138a
Making the Sustainable Investment Case
Graham Sinclair MBA, Adjunct Professor, Sustainable Enterprise Executive Education Development, Villanova University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26244 | Section 1
Description
Making the sustainable investment case is a crucial skill for every type of professional, whether in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors. This course takes lessons from the theories and practices of sustainable investment in the professional investment industry, and makes them accessible to other disciplines and fields. Every investment has implicit environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, because every decision made relies upon humans to make, do, buy, or sell something, and relies upon the rule of law to govern contractual relationships between businesses and protect minority investors. In every sector and situation, one is increasingly expected to identify, measure, and report material ESG risks, returns, and impact. Investment decisions are made daily for more than US $100 trillion in assets under management professionally in the global investment industry, and it is projected to grow to US $145.4 trillion by 2025. This course explores capital allocation decisions more broadly, translating the practices from the investment context to other situations of capital allocation. In a world with interconnected decision-making processes and consequences, more stakeholders demand greater transparency, customers have expectations of their vendors, reputation and litigation risks are profligate, and regulators seek to reduce negative impacts on society. Sustainable investment proactively considers themes and issues such as climate pollution, workplace safety, employee health and wellness, local community relationships, diversity, executive compensation, business ethics, corruption, and new markets for zero pollution innovation. Climate is the meta-theme overarching all investment strategies. This course is grounded in industry experience and cross-disciplinary academic and practitioner literature. The course employs the Socratic method. We blend practitioner literature with current academic research to ensure students learn from the most relevant material, including Harvard Business School case studies and case examples drawn from the food and beverage sector. We explore critiques of sustainable investment to better understand the gaps in theory and practice. We provide access to experts from across the spectrum so students may learn from multiple perspectives, and engage with different roles. We promote students’ experiential learning by building up components of simulated investment recommendations. Students have many opportunities to explore topics of interest to them, including those drawn from headlines.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-139
Natural Disasters in a Global Environment
Jennifer Rivers Cole PhD, Associate Professor, American University of Afghanistan
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26805 | Section 1
Description
This course covers disaster preparedness and response, as well as possible prevention and mitigation of: volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, fires, landslides, hurricanes, famines, pandemic diseases, meteorite impacts, and climate fluctuations. The course presents basic science, along with detailed case studies of past and present events. Lectures and discussions highlight the role of science in preparing for and responding to natural disasters. Elements of history, engineering, architecture, land use planning, climate change science, public policy, and emergency management are threaded through the discussions and laboratory exercises. This is a case study-based course, and highlights preparedness and response in developing nations, as part of global development practice.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 9:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-140
Fundamentals of Ecology for Sustainable Ecosystems
Aaron Hartmann PhD, Research Associate, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 12779 | Section 1
Description
Conserving and managing biodiversity and ecosystem services in diverse landscapes across the globe is a major sustainability challenge of this century. Solutions critically rest on fundamental concepts and principles in ecology. This course adopts an unusual, holistic approach by embedding understanding and integration of these principles through a series of ecosystem case studies focused on desert, savanna, and mountain ecosystems; wetlands and other aquatic systems; boreal, temperate, and tropical forests; and agroecosystems. These ecosystems and specific sites exemplify different challenges but similar ecological processes at work for successful management, whether the goal is protection of natural systems and biodiversity, ecological restoration, or maintaining ecosystem services in agricultural and other human-dominated landscapes. Through this approach, the fundamental topics covered in typical ecology courses are exemplified. The historical, evolutionary, and ecological processes determining the distribution of ecosystems, habitats, and species are introduced. Evolutionary processes responsible for the adaptations of individuals are examined to understand the diversity of species and their features. Ecological processes of competition, predation, disease, and mutualism help explain the functioning of biological communities and larger ecosystems. Among other activities, teams of students conduct background research on specific ecosystem sites to understand the ecological, economic, sociocultural, and multistakeholder context of sustainability challenges and integrated solutions.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENVR E-143
Evaluating Sustainable Food Systems and Other Enterprises in Rural Areas, With a View from Tuscany
Mark Leighton PhD, Associate Director and Senior Research Advisor, Sustainability, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25371 | Section 1
Description
Globally, metropolitan areas have prospered economically while rural areas have been left behind. The course focuses on sustainability opportunities and enterprises in these rural landscapes. Emphasis is on the benefits of regenerative farming and small-scale organic farm enterprises, typically with diverse production systems, common historically and now resurgent in the farm to table and local food movements as alternatives to industrial agriculture. The course focuses on comparisons between New England and Tuscany; in both of these regions, ecological and economic sustainability challenges in the rural landscape include producing food and forest products for niche markets, managing watersheds, conserving biodiversity and other environmental services, such as carbon sequestration, and diversifying income streams with ecotourism. Optimizing this mix of functions while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution addresses sustainability goals. Online required class sessions discuss readings on models and analysis of sustainable food production systems, including organic, permaculture, and forest farming systems. Assignments and readings develop skills in spreadsheet modeling of production integrated with financial analysis of small-scale enterprises. The centerpiece of the course is an intensive and mandatory week long learning experience, May 4-May 11, in residence at Spannocchia, a historical Tuscan farming estate near Sienna. Field exercises and discussions at Spannocchia are augmented with an all-day field trip to a nearby biodynamic winery and onward for the afternoon to the hill town of San Gimignano, and then a half-day trip to Tenuta San Carlo in southwestern Tuscany, a very different agro-ecosystem. Students should not have other work or study commitments during this period. The course involves some hiking and fieldwork on several days over uneven ground; because these are critical course activities, students must be physically able to participate. Students are housed at Spannocchia in either the Fattoria or Villa rooms in the main building; rooms are typically shared doubles, spacious and historical. Meals feature organic products from the estate. View the Spannocchia website for photos and descriptions of accommodations, programs, and the estate property. Students with documented disabilities should contact the Accessibility Services Office no later than two weeks before the course begins. In addition to completing all required assignments for the course, students must attend the entire week at Spannocchia to pass the course (you cannot arrive late or leave early). If you neglect to register with Spannocchia, pay their separate deposit, or miss their deadlines, you may not be able to register, complete, or pass the course. Harvard Extension School (HES) spring term registration, drop, and withdrawal deadlines apply to ENVR E-143. See the calendar. If students drop the course, HES will refund tuition payment according to standard refund policy. HES is not responsible for payments made to Spannocchia, travel, or other expenses that students may incur. In addition to the course tuition, students are responsible for: Approximately $1,000-$1,300 USD paid to Spannocchia by January 10. This includes room and board for May 4-May 11 (seven nights) and educational fees. Course members rendezvous in Siena on Sunday, May 4, and then share taxis to Spannocchia after a group lunch. Note that up to 45 days before the program start date (May 4) at Spannocchia, a student withdrawing from the course will have their prepaid Spannocchia fee reimbursed less a $250 deposit and credit card processing fees. However, cancellations within 45 days of the start date are not refundable. US health insurance that provides coverage outside the United States. Transportation to and from Spannocchia (via Siena). Shared per capita cost of bus/van rental and driver for the field trip, and shared taxi or van to and from Siena or Florence to Spannocchia. (Students also have some miscellaneous individual costs: for example, a $7 hotel tax, meals in Siena and San Gimignano, and a wine tasting fee if students participate). The cost of passports and visas (if the latter is needed). Costs of any required COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters, and tests, both in home country and Italy, depending on regulations at the time.
Prerequisites: No previous courses are required; however, ENVR E-129 (offered previously), ENVR E-129a, ENVR S-129b, ENVR E-129c, ENVR E-140, and ENVR E-210 are relevant sustainability courses providing background. Familiarity with Excel spreadsheets is helpful, but not required. Students must be at least 18 years old.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
This course meets via live web conference Wednesdays, 7:40-9:40 pm; and in Tuscany, Italy, May 4-11, 2025. Optional review sessions Saturdays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 28 students
ENVR E-149
Environmental Conservation
Aaron Hartmann PhD, Research Associate, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26641 | Section 1
Description
Preserving and recovering populations, communities, and ecosystems is the core goal of conservation biology. But achieving this goal requires much more than an understanding of biology. It requires that we evaluate humanity’s place in nature through numerous lenses, including those seemingly far afield from the natural world. This course integrates evolutionary and ecological theory into resource management, economics, sociology, business, psychology, and law to explore conservation strategies, the value of ecosystem services, evidence-based management, and the challenges of decision making under conflicting interests. As this list underscores, conservation biology is inherently interdisciplinary, and this means that each student’s training and perspective is integral as we build a comprehensive understanding of this complex discipline.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENVR E-151
Life Cycle and Supply Chain Sustainability Assessment
Julien Walzberg PhD, Researcher III, Strategic Energy Analysis Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17206 | Section 1
Description
The field of industrial ecology includes advanced tools and methods to assist practitioners seeking to redesign and realign industrial systems and activities to be more ecologically and socially sound. Central within the field of industrial ecology is life cycle assessment (LCA), which involves systems analysis of the full range of environmental impacts, product life cycles, and supply chains. Social impacts are also being addressed in life cycles and supply chains, leading to the definition of life cycle sustainability assessment. This course enables participants to develop a hands-on, in-depth understanding of the frameworks, principles, tools, and applications of life cycle assessment. As part of the course, students learn to use and apply professional software tools and databases that address sustainability-relevant impacts in global supply chains. We also review the state of life cycle practice and current initiatives involving companies, governments, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). We ground the entire course on the goal of making human activities, from the personal to the global, truly sustainable.
Prerequisites: College math and/or chemistry are helpful, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-154
Sustainable Product Design and the Innovation Ecosystem
Ramon Sanchez ScD, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14518 | Section 1
Description
This course is for anyone who would like to learn how to design and launch a new product with the smallest environmental footprint. Students acquire many tools and skills in the course: how to do market intelligence (technological benchmarking and reverse engineering), how to incorporate real sustainability into new products (and identify green washing), how to use structured tools to enhance creativity and innovation to conceive and develop new products, how to design and implement a new product introduction process, how to do and implement the design of experiments to select the most robust features for products, how to write and submit a patent application to decrease legal costs, how to protect copyrights and trademarks, how to fund intellectual property by using funds from business incubators and accelerators, how to select the right materials and processes to minimize the product’s environmental impacts (using green chemistry principles, sustainable sourcing of components, and sustainable certification for raw materials to promote conservation), how to reduce energy use by new products, how to build and test prototypes in an inexpensive way, and how to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging and transportation. Students also learn the basic components of an innovation ecosystem and how high technology hubs such as Silicon Valley, Boston, and New York work.
Prerequisites: High school math.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-155
Principles and Practice of Climate Change Negotiations
Carol Franco PhD, Senior Research Associate, Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17180 | Section 1
Description
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty created in 1992 to jointly limit average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change and its impacts. It provides a platform for multilateral efforts where 198 parties to the convention (197 States and one regional economic integration organization) address the impacts of climate change on people and ecosystems. This course builds capacity in process of the multilateral policy negotiations at the UNFCCC. It includes topics on climate diplomacy, negotiation skills, and international policy formulation and their relationships with national regulations, laws, and policies to guide efforts to adapt to climate change and mitigate greenhouse gases. It also provides an up-to-date summary of the main agenda topics currently being negotiated from the perspectives of parties and observer organizations. The course is designed with the purpose of transmitting scientific-technical language and diplomatic language that reflects the current situation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-158b
Applied Circular Economics
Manuel Maqueda MS, JD, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SUPER.ngo
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16829 | Section 1
Description
This course gives students the essential concepts, tools, and skills needed to take part in the transition to a circular economy in a wide variety of economic sectors and areas of human activity. Ecosystems tend toward a stable equilibrium, or homeostasis, and have the ability to regenerate and thrive for thousands of years. Likewise, the circular economy seeks to maintain the value and preserve the stocks of materials, components, and goods, while eliminating waste and pollution and restoring natural capital. The circular economy allows for a better economic and ecological performance than today’s prevailing economy which follows a take-make-waste linear model that destroys value, depletes stocks, and degrades living systems. The transition to a circular economy is mandated by the ecological and physical boundaries of our planet. Without an accelerated transition it will be impossible to meet the Paris Agreement targets. At the same time, the transition to a circular economy is a tremendous opportunity that would unleash global economic growth and create an estimated 95 million new jobs worldwide while also boosting economic resilience. The European Union, Canada, China, and other leading economies have outlined aggressive roadmaps towards a circular economy. In the United States, 60 percent of chief executive officers plan to transition to a circular economy framework. This course challenges not only what, but how students think about sustainability. Students are encouraged to think in systems and material flows, while embracing a radical collaboration mindset. Along the way we visit different areas of opportunity that range from biomass management to industrial symbiosis; examine circularity in sectors as diverse as food, electronics, and plastics; outline the role of related disciplines such as biomimicry and permaculture; and discuss innovative business models where products are servitized, dematerialized, and completely redesigned to foster modularity, repairability, upgradeability, and cradle-to-cradle life cycles.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 75 students
ENVR E-158c
Toxics in Consumer Products
Kathleen Sellers MS, Technical Partner, Sustainable Products and Supply Chain, Environmental Resources Management
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26471 | Section 1
Description
Concerned about toxics in consumer products? Join this course to examine the topic from multiple perspectives: the science of hazard and risk, the factors that drive outrage, and the regulations designed to protect us. The course content is designed to demystify underlying scientific concepts. Case studies of headline issues and guest speakers from the industry make abstract concepts come alive. This course provides students with the tools to support effective action to make products more sustainable and to make better choices as a consumer.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-158e
Sustainable Fashion
Danielle Azoulay MA, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Business Strategy, The CSO Shop, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26051 | Section 1
Description
The global fashion and apparel industry has changed dramatically in the last 20 years to become an industry that today produces between six and ten percent of the world’s greenhouse gases. This course explores the historical, social, and environmental aspects of the global fashion industry and the current tools and methodologies available to improve it. It enables students to understand the connection between sustainable development and the apparel industry; think critically about both the common and less discussed aspects of the apparel industry, including consumption, durability, and sustainable design; appreciate the complexities of the economic impacts of externalities both positive and negative on the industry; and explore the social and environmental impacts and the tools available to monitor and measure positive impact.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-158f
Regenerative Economics
Manuel Maqueda MS, JD, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SUPER.ngo
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26427 | Section 1
Description
In this course we examine ways to accelerate the transition towards an economy that enriches, restores, and regenerates the Earth’s biosphere at scale while reversing climate change. Although regenerative economics is still an emerging field, this course focuses on praxis rather than on theory, seeking to equip students with ideas and tools to solve real-world problems and to create innovative, regenerative economy initiatives in a variety of sectors. To this effect, we illustrate the topics with case studies and are joined by guest speakers who are leading practitioners in their domains. In this course, we visit different areas of regenerative opportunity that include regenerative agriculture and permaculture, agroforestry, and large-scale ecosystem restoration; as well as labriculture (in vitro food production) and bio-based materials and products (grown instead of made). In addition to the circular economics framework, we discuss the planetary boundary framework and look at several large-scale human-Earth models, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) model. Earth observation, the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain are discussed as technologies to foster, manage, and measure regeneration, both locally and at planetary scale. Other emerging technologies such as synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and geo-engineering are examined with a precautionary, biomimetic, and critical lens.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 75 students
ENVR E-163
Principles of Natural Resources Management
Joshua Ellsworth MS, Program Fellow, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26604 | Section 1
Description
What core knowledge about ecosystem functions helps sustainability and development professionals, no matter where they work? What are the limits of our understandings and when do we need to bring in others to develop site-specific analysis and strategies? Professionals in the sustainability and global development fields often need to work on or assess agriculture, water, and natural resource conservation projects and supply chains across different geographic, ecological, and agricultural regions. While they do not have to be experts in every situation, they do need to be able to learn quickly about complex natural systems in order to work effectively in teams, provide analysis, and make programmatic decisions. Despite the diversity of these natural systems, there are common processes and mechanisms that underpin and connect all of them. There are key questions one can ask in any situation to learn more. If professionals are familiar with these common ecological and physical processes, then they are capable of quickly adjusting their work to new contexts by asking relevant technical questions, recognizing what they do not yet know, and identifying with whom they should consult. This course is designed to cultivate critical thinking as it relates to natural resources management to help each student understand common processes across natural systems and to develop a set of questions that can guide their future work in any given location. The course covers the core characteristics and management of water, soils, forests, pastures, and agricultural systems and how they are interconnected. Specific topics include water resources, river dynamics, and how natural and human-caused ecosystem disturbance such as fire, logging, and grazing factor into the ecology and succession of forests, grasslands, agriculture, and ecological restoration. Students explore these topics through lectures, individual work, and a team assignment focused on a natural resources management and restoration plan in a location of their choice.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
ENVR E-165
Human Health, Environmental Change, and Sustainability
Yasmin von Schirnding PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26830 | Section 1
Description
Human activity is changing the atmosphere and altering terrestrial and marine ecosystems on a global scale. These changes are already having serious effects on human health, especially for vulnerable people around the world. This course addresses the causes and health and equity consequences of global environmental changes, with particular emphasis on climate change and the loss of biological diversity. It also explores the knowledge and actions that can form the pathways to a more healthy, just, and sustainable world.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENVR E-166
Water Resources Policy and Watershed Management
Scott Horsley MA, Lecturer, Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14545 | Section 1
Description
This course presents a comprehensive approach to water resources management by integrating environmental science (geology, soils, and hydrology) and policy (planning and regulatory analysis). It is intended for both students with and without technical backgrounds. We use numerous case studies from the instructor’s experience as a consultant to the US Environmental Protection Agency, state and local governments, industry, and nongovernmental organizations. The course examines groundwater, lake, riverine, wetland, and coastal management issues at the local, state, tribal, regional, national, and international levels and relies heavily on practical case studies. We focus on an integrated water management approach that links drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management seeking opportunities to keep water local and for re-use, balancing hydrologic budgets, and minimizing costs in the face of climate change. A broad range of water resource management strategies is examined including structural/nonstructural, regulatory/nonregulatory, and prevention/restoration approaches. Smart growth and low impact development techniques are presented as effective growth management and climate adaptation techniques. Incentive-based management strategies are presented to modify behaviors and to optimize public participation. Green infrastructure is presented as an innovative and alternative approach to conventional grey technologies and includes shellfish aquaculture, bioretention, reforestation of riparian buffers, ecotoilets, and wetlands restoration.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, September 5-December 18, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-174
Transportation and Sustainability
Eric Plosky MS, Executive Director, MobilityData
Carson Poe MA, Transportation Industry Analyst, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, United States Department of Transportation
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16984 | Section 1
Description
Is our current transportation system sustainable from environmental, energy, economic, social, and technological perspectives? In this course, with one eye on current events (such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Biden administration’s focus on infrastructure), we focus on the sustainability of transportation. We examine the interplay of transportation and the structure of society, including topics such as the economy, the environment, land use, politics, technology, and history. Changes now occurring on the national and global levels, such as those wrought by the pandemic and by the rising movement for social justice, are explored through lectures, readings, and student work. From a sustainability perspective, the nexus of energy consumption, vehicle emissions, climate change, habitat loss or alteration, and air quality are explored to understand the impacts of various forms of transportation and the potential utilization of emerging technologies and new policies and institutional structures to dramatically improve results. Looking beyond current practices, we also explore how more fundamental shifts, such as in consumer habits, are reshaping transportation networks and the infrastructure barriers that we must address. Finally, we examine the role of legal and regulatory actions on transportation/environmental relationships at the state and federal levels, and how future standards could be utilized to advance sustainability.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-178
Principles of Natural Systems
Trina von Stackelberg ScD, Research Scientist, Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26819 | Section 1
Description
This is a course on the economy in society and in the biosphere focused on supporting planetary health. Even as we recognize that human well-being depends on the natural environment, we are experiencing unprecedented environmental challenges largely as a consequence of unsustainable interactions with nature based on linear systems of extraction to waste rather than regeneration. We are increasingly putting our well-being at risk through the unintended environmental consequences of modern life. Industrialization and development at the expense of natural resources, energy- and pollution-intensive food production, and an economic system that fails to account for natural capital: these are just a few examples of how we are failing to work effectively within a socio-ecological system. In this course we explore the evidence for the ways in which the natural environment supports well-being, talk about the implications for sustainability (of what to whom), identify actionable strategies for sustainability that explicitly recognize the coupled human-natural system, and challenge conventional disciplinary norms by integrating social and natural sciences for more effective decision making. We explore themes related to the essentiality of biodiversity to ecosystem services, working with nature, biophilic design, biomimicry, permaculture and multifunctional agricultural landscapes, and collaborative decision making, and identify quantitative approaches for decision making based on systems thinking and dynamics.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-190
Urban Agriculture
Zachary Bostwick Nowak PhD, Director, The Umbra Institute
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25667 | Section 1
Description
What do gardens in cities do for people? Urban agriculture is a catch-all term that covers community gardens, vegetable plots at prisons, didactically-minded gardens in schoolyards, gardens planted illegally on vacant lots, high-tech hydroponic companies, and farmers’ markets. Students develop knowledge about how these spaces differ across variables like legality, goals, and actors. Students in this course learn about how growing food in Global North cities has a long past. We debate whether urban agriculture is an excellent way for city dwellers to reduce hunger and assert their control over urban space, or whether it’s just another subtle manifestation of neoliberalism. A core goal of this course, above and beyond the content, is to develop research skills in multiple disciplines that will be useful for other courses.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
ENVR E-195
Sustainability Accelerator: Practicing Community Empowerment and Local Leader Development
Justin Allen MBA, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Sustainability Accelerator
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26802 | Section 1
Description
As global sustainability crises escalate, the world needs local sustainability leaders who have the capacity to create change. This course teaches skills, introduces tools, and provides experiential learning opportunities that teach change agents how to accelerate local leader development and empower community action. The course begins with an overview of theory and research on community empowerment and a review of successful sustainability initiatives. Then, utilizing an experiential act-to-learn model (rather than a traditional learn-to-act approach), students are assigned to teams and paired with external sustainability practitioners (for example, change leaders working on social justice, climate, education, infrastructure, or health initiatives). Students learn community engagement skills and praxis (creating space for reflection and collective action) with practitioners’ target community beneficiaries. After engaging with beneficiaries, students provide partners with a clearer picture of the community’s needs and collaborate to co-create an updated community-centric theory of change and a draft a proposed community-led project charter. Throughout the course, students learn practical skills and tools associated with community empowerment and local leadership development. Students also learn and practice reflective coaching and engage in weekly coaching sessions.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
ENVR E-199
Environmental Law and Policy
David Mears JD, Attorney, Tarrant, Gillies and Shems, LLP
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17015 | Section 1
Description
United States’ environmental laws and policies have grown in importance and complexity in response to our increased knowledge of the risks and challenges associated with our present trajectory. We are experiencing the stark challenge of shifting the cultural and economic drivers of unsustainable patterns of living on the land at a time of a deep ideological divide in our democratic institutions. This divide is interfering with the ability of our elected leaders to develop long-term, systemic strategies for change. On the other hand, we have a better societal understanding of the risks of failing to address the unsustainability of the ways that humans are currently living on our planet. In response, local, state, tribal, and national-level leaders are open to new policy approaches, giving rise to the opportunity for environmental professionals to participate in the development of improved systems. In this course, we explore the ways that the United States has made important progress in addressing many environmental problems through its laws and policies. However, this exploration also reveals that those solutions have tended to exist in isolation, not addressing or perhaps masking larger system declines that we can see in the form of climate change, loss of biodiversity, inequitable allocation of the benefits and burdens of environmental degradation, and permanent disruption to the ability of the land, air, and water to regenerate. The fact that these trends are not abating in response to the strategies employed over the past fifty years of the modern American environmental movement suggests a need to explore what has worked, what has not worked, and how we view our current challenges through an ecological lens in order to adjust our strategy in response to that knowledge. Students in this course explore the major areas of US environmental and natural resources law and policy, with a focus on the areas of water quality and quantity, biodiversity, hazardous waste and toxic substances, and land use. Students review examples that demonstrate the interplay of local, state, tribal, and federal governmental decision-making processes. In addition, students gain experience in reading case law, statutes, and regulations, as well as policy analyses. Finally, students are invited to bring their own personal and professional experiences to bear as we explore the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking to solve complex environmental issues.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENVR E-210
Analytical Methods in Sustainability
Linda Powers Tomasso PhD, Research Associate, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13757 | Section 1
Description
Understanding the dynamics of complex ecological and environmental systems and designing policies to promote their sustainability is a formidable challenge that requires analytical and measurement savvy. Both the practitioner and policymaker must be able to evaluate scientific research, recognizing fundamental pitfalls in research design data interpretation, and contextual relevance. Computational modeling tools have allowed for more dynamic and accurate predictions of complex environmental and ecological systems, though simulation output is only as valid as the quality of the input data. Analyzing the integrity of measurement scenarios is critical; what omissions and limitations might bias an outcome, and how might human behavioral interactions cause scenario modeling to differ from quantitative predictions? To learn these skills, students enrolled in this course conduct practical exercises illustrating a range of measurement and modeling techniques, including statistical analysis of ecological and environmental data and system dynamics modeling. Building on these methods, skill development also includes scientific writing, critiquing primary research literature, negotiating environmental resource rights, and accurately communicating environmental science in non-technical language. Course activities are rooted in core issues of environmental and sustainability sciences, climate change, human population dynamics, population viability analysis of endangered species, economic appraisal of projects that impact natural resources, impacts of built and natural environments on human health, and climate justice. Quantitative techniques are taught at an introductory level; some data analysis and simulation modeling are conducted using Excel spreadsheets.
Prerequisites: Experience manipulating data and algebraic equations on spreadsheets is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections Tuesdays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-210
Analytical Methods in Sustainability
Linda Powers Tomasso PhD, Research Associate, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23614 | Section 1
Description
Understanding the dynamics of complex ecological and environmental systems and designing policies to promote their sustainability is a formidable challenge that requires analytical and measurement savvy. Both the practitioner and policymaker must be able to evaluate scientific research, recognizing fundamental pitfalls in research design data interpretation, and contextual relevance. Computational modeling tools have allowed for more dynamic and accurate predictions of complex environmental and ecological systems, though simulation output is only as valid as the quality of the input data. Analyzing the integrity of measurement scenarios is critical; what omissions and limitations might bias an outcome, and how might human behavioral interactions cause scenario modeling to differ from quantitative predictions? To learn these skills, students enrolled in this course conduct practical exercises illustrating a range of measurement and modeling techniques, including statistical analysis of ecological and environmental data and system dynamics modeling. Building on these methods, skill development also includes scientific writing, critiquing primary research literature, negotiating environmental resource rights, and accurately communicating environmental science in non-technical language. Course activities are rooted in core issues of environmental and sustainability sciences, climate change, human population dynamics, population viability analysis of endangered species, economic appraisal of projects that impact natural resources, impacts of built and natural environments on human health, and climate justice. Quantitative techniques are taught at an introductory level; some data analysis and simulation modeling are conducted using Excel spreadsheets.
Prerequisites: Experience manipulating data and algebraic equations on spreadsheets is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections Tuesdays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-216
Climate Adaptation: Planning and Policy
William Farmer PhD, Acting Drought Science Coordinator, Water Mission Area, US Geological Survey
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26817 | Section 1
Description
Climate adaptation is critical to sustainability across social and geographic scales. Through this course, students learn the importance of climate adaptation, its costs and benefits, and how to develop an adaptation plan at whatever scale is needed and for a broad array of communities. Students learn about the steps involved in assessing vulnerabilities and how to take the necessary steps to reduce those vulnerabilities through adaptation planning. Because we cannot adapt infinitely, students learn how to find and implement carbon mitigation opportunities. The implementation and effectiveness of mitigation and adaptation actions necessary to stabilize the climate and create a sustainable environment depend significantly on climate policy. The promulgation of climate policy alone, however, is not sufficient and depends on planning methods capable of fostering actions that meet policy goals. Therefore, students also develop a broad understanding of current domestic and international climate policies and agreements, as well as planning frameworks that help structure actions, hold parties accountable, and create incentives and mechanisms toward climate adaptation. Understanding climate policy is necessary for describing legal standards, regulatory attainment, the terms of treaties and agreements, and how to meet such benchmarks.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-217
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Future
Ahmad Antar PhD, Founder and Executive Director, Digital Emissions
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26843 | Section 1
Description
As the world grapples with a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the need for scalable sustainable technologies has never been greater. Artificial intelligence (AI) is uniquely positioned to tackle complex climate challenges with a focus on climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. AI-infused solutions are already making strides in the field of sustainability. Recent research suggests that Al environmental applications could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 gross tonnage (Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, while boosting the global economy by $5.2 trillion. This course examines the intersection of AI and sustainability, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges presented by this emerging technology. Students gain a deep understanding of a wide array of Al applications spanning sectors such as energy, information technology, transportation, and agriculture. The course also delves into how the new AI wave is accelerating the progress on sustainable development goals (SDGs). It further investigates the potential detrimental consequences of AI in relation to ethical and environmental dimensions. The course draws on case studies and contributions from industry practitioners. Throughout the course, students take part in an immersive learning experience with peer learning opportunities in addition to individual activities.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 55 students
ENVR E-234
Tracking Sustainability Performance: Analytical Approaches and Challenges
Dinah A. Koehler PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17184 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the latest developments in the analytical approaches to corporate strategy and investment decisions, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data. The course aims to answer the question of what is a sustainable company, and explores the question with data and analytics. The course takes a hands-on approach to assessing the difference between voluntary and mandatory frameworks that guide corporate sustainability reporting, including Global Reporting Initiative, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board/International Sustainability Standards Board, and Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and recent mandatory disclosure requirements in the European Union, California, and other jurisdictions. The limitations of voluntary self-disclosure are debated within the context of greenwashing criticism and increased scrutiny of ESG ratings, green bonds, and net-zero target setting. ESG materiality as part of corporate disclosure is probed with reference to double materiality. The scientific basis for evaluating corporate sustainability is explored via impact measurement, net-zero target setting, and asset-level ESG risk analysis. Students learn about various roles in the sustainability reporting ecosystem, from corporate to auditor and investor perspectives, and the ESG tools and data used by each role along with the potential for artificial intelligence (A) applications. For their final project students working in teams have the choice to develop a corporate net-zero strategy that is scientifically credible and technologically feasible or to develop a sustainable investment strategy that creatively uses data available with a specific sustainability goal (ESG integration, ESG engagement, or sustainable impact). The course is by intention highly interactive with in-class activities and emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and peer review. Students are expected to manipulate data using Excel. Templates and explanations are provided.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
ENVR E-235
Fundamentals of Sustainable Investing
Cary Krosinsky BA, Lecturer, Yale College and Adjunct Lecturer, New York University Stern Executive Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16969 | Section 1
Description
Twenty-first century businesses and investors face a broadening and deepening array of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. Climate change, water scarcity, community conflict, resource depletion, supply chain breakdowns, worker well-being, and economic inequality pose material challenges that make sustainability an imperative for successful corporations and investors. This course examines the theory and practice of sustainable investing. We explore related investment and corporate strategies, industry trends across all asset classes, future scenarios, industry players, and frameworks and while reviewing the viability of practical investment performance analysis, available ESG data, and impact metrics, as well as diversification, geopolitics, and asset allocation considerations. Students may not take both ENVR E-138 and ENVR E-235 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
ENVR E-240
Environmental Entrepreneurship: Start-up Essentials for Success
Alice Nichols MEd, Principal, Integrated Strategies International
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17203 | Section 1
Description
In a world where performance and societal and environmental impacts are often seen as at odds, it is hard to imagine having the best of both worlds. This course is not just for students with business backgrounds, nor only for those who have a well-formed idea that they think is worthy of putting forth into a venture plan straight away. This course is for students who would like to breathe life into an eco-opportunity that will environmentally move the needle by creating a venture plan. This is a new venture plan, which is quite different from a traditional business plan. Your idea may feel ill formed, or you may need support in formulating an eco-opportunity that will make social impact, for profit or nonprofit activity. We address questions such as: how do you select an opportunity? How do you take an idea and turn it into a value proposition with a target market? How do you build a model for an enterprise? This is not a conceptual course, but a hands-on, practical, experiential, and interactive course to learn to transpose an idea into an entrepreneurial venture. Students learn how to do customer discovery, thereby avoiding the biggest pitfall of start-up ventures nobody caring or no market.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
ENVR E-496
Crafting the Thesis Proposal in Sustainability
Mark Leighton PhD, Associate Director and Senior Research Advisor, Sustainability, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25105 | Section 1
Description
This course helps students develop critical thinking, scholarly writing skills, and research abilities while developing their individual thesis proposals. Class meetings feature lectures and discussions on different scientific approaches, group discussions, and intensive, constructive discussion of proposed student thesis research projects and proposals, from definition of research goals and hypotheses through research design and expected data analysis and presentation. Students are encouraged to contact their research advisor well before the required CTP application is due to discuss possible thesis topics and should not register for this course unless they are ready to engage in the entire thesis process. They should consider if this is the right time to start independent research, as the goal of the course is to move from crafting the thesis proposal to thesis registration with no extended breaks. Students should begin the thesis project during the next semester.
Prerequisites: Registration is restricted to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability, who have received CTP application approval. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Students must have completed eight courses (32 credits) toward the degree and fulfilled their research methods requirement. All students must be in good academic standing. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course. See application guidelines for details.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 10:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 202
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International Students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
ENVR E-598b
Innovation in Sustainability and Global Development Practice Precapstone Tutorial
Ramon Sanchez ScD, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26914 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for Master of Liberal Arts (ALM), sustainability and global development practice capstone track candidates. Course deliverables include a detailed and actionable sustainable start-up business plan proposal or a plan to assess a local innovation ecosystem and a presentation to the class, potential innovation investors, and other stakeholders (including public or private entities like local governments, corporations, nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], governmental agencies, schools, universities, and hospitals). Students work with a client to develop and deliver an innovation/new product development plan or sustainable business plan focused on reducing operating costs, minimizing the environmental footprint, and improving environmental sustainability practices. Class time is devoted to addressing client requirements and developing actionable solutions.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability or global development practice capstone track, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and in the process of successfully completing all degree requirements except the capstone, ENVR E-599b, which they must enroll in the upcoming summer term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). In addition, candidates must have completed ENVR E-154 or ENVR S-154 at the graduate-level with a grade of B-minus or higher. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the tutorial.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $0.
Credits: 0
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 12 students
ENVR E-599
Independent Research Capstone
Jennifer Rivers Cole PhD, Associate Professor, American University of Afghanistan
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17197 | Section 1
Description
This course offers students the overview, direction, and support for completing an individual capstone project, creatively engaging their professional and personal interests. Lectures and discussions explore challenges and opportunities in project scoping, boundary delineation, stakeholder inclusion, impact assessment, and sampling design; logical consistency, lateral thinking, and case study analysis; prototyping, benchmarking, and bet hedging; effective writing, editing, graphic presentation, and information search; and public presentation and network building. Students are asked to prepare a poster of their work to present to the wider graduate community at the end of the semester. Listings of prior projects may be viewed at the Independent Research Capstone website.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, ENVR S-598, in the previous Harvard Summer School term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, September 14-15, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
ENVR E-599
Independent Research Capstone
Jennifer Rivers Cole PhD, Associate Professor, American University of Afghanistan
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26804 | Section 1
Description
This course offers students the overview, direction, and support for completing an individual capstone project, creatively engaging their professional and personal interests. Lectures and discussions explore challenges and opportunities in project scoping, boundary delineation, stakeholder inclusion, impact assessment, and sampling design; logical consistency, lateral thinking, and case study analysis; prototyping, benchmarking, and bet hedging; effective writing, editing, graphic presentation, and information search; and public presentation and network building. Students are asked to prepare a poster of their work to present to the wider graduate community at the end of the semester. Listings of prior projects may be viewed at the Independent Research Capstone website.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, ENVR E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, February 8-9, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
ENVR E-599a
Consulting for Sustainability Solutions Capstone
Neil Hawkins ScD, President, Michigan Sustainability Associates
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14533 | Section 1
Description
This course is a capstone for students earning a Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability degree. Course deliverables include a detailed actionable/measurable sustainability action plan (SAP) as well as a presentation to be given to the class and to client stakeholders. Appropriate clients may include communities, corporations, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), governmental agencies, schools, universities, and hospitals. Students work with a client to develop and deliver a customized SAP focused on reduction of operating costs, minimization of the environmental footprint, brand differentiation and improvement of environmental sustainability practices. Class time is devoted to addressing client requirements and developing actionable solutions. Listings of prior projects may be viewed at the Consulting with Clients for Sustainability Solutions Capstone website.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability, consulting track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, ENVR S-598a, in the previous Harvard Summer School term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Friday, September 13, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 203
Saturday, September 14, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Sunday, September 15, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ENVR E-599a
Consulting for Sustainability Solutions Capstone
Neil Hawkins ScD, President, Michigan Sustainability Associates
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26497 | Section 1
Description
This course is a capstone for students earning a Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability degree. Course deliverables include a detailed actionable/measurable sustainability action plan (SAP) as well as a presentation to be given to the class and to client stakeholders. Appropriate clients may include communities, corporations, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), governmental agencies, schools, universities, and hospitals. Students work with a client to develop and deliver a customized SAP focused on reduction of operating costs, minimization of the environmental footprint, brand differentiation and improvement of environmental sustainability practices. Class time is devoted to addressing client requirements and developing actionable solutions. Listings of prior projects may be viewed at the Consulting with Clients for Sustainability Solutions Capstone website.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, sustainability, consulting track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, ENVR E-598a, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Friday, February 7, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, February 8, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, February 9, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
EXPO E-105
Essentials of Editing
Christina Thompson PhD, Editor, Harvard Review, Harvard College Library
Laura Healy MA, Editor and Literary Translator
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16948 | Section 1
Description
This course offers an overview of editing theory and practice. Topics to be covered include line editing, copyediting, common syntactic and grammatical pitfalls, word choice, paragraph structure, clarity, and concision. The emphasis is on learning to identify and correct errors that commonly appear in professional writing. Students may only take one of the following for degree or certificate credit: EXPO E-105, EXPO E-160, EXPO E-170, or JOUR E-105.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, September 20, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, September 21, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, September 22, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: September 06, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-105
Essentials of Editing
Christina Thompson PhD, Editor, Harvard Review, Harvard College Library
Laura Healy MA, Editor and Literary Translator
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26559 | Section 1
Description
This course offers an overview of editing theory and practice. Topics to be covered include line editing, copyediting, common syntactic and grammatical pitfalls, word choice, paragraph structure, clarity, and concision. The emphasis is on learning to identify and correct errors that commonly appear in professional writing. Students may only take one of the following for degree or certificate credit: EXPO E-105, EXPO E-160, EXPO E-170, or JOUR E-105.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, February 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, March 1, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, March 2, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: February 14, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Matthew Davis PhD, Associate Professor of English, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15944 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Maxine Rodburg MFA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17192 | Section 2
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Alicia Anstead MA, Associate Director for Programming and Communications, Office for the Arts, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17199 | Section 3
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Steven Wandler PhD, Senior Lecturer, Writing Studies, University of Minnesota
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14356 | Section 4
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Janet Sylvester PhD, Adjunct Faculty, Endicott College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15549 | Section 5
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Randy Rosenthal MTS, Editor
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15916 | Section 6
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Laura Healy MA, Editor and Literary Translator
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16733 | Section 7
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Paul A. Thur MA, Director of the Writing Center, College of General Studies, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13498 | Section 8
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Cody Carolina Brown Musselman PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26842 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 10:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Randy Rosenthal MTS, Editor
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26947 | Section 10
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Keating Patrick Joseph McKeon PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26950 | Section 11
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Janet Sylvester PhD, Adjunct Faculty, Endicott College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26535 | Section 2
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Allyson K. Boggess MFA, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23434 | Section 4
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Steven Wandler PhD, Senior Lecturer, Writing Studies, University of Minnesota
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26722 | Section 5
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Randy Rosenthal MTS, Editor
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26491 | Section 6
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Laura Healy MA, Editor and Literary Translator
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26086 | Section 7
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-15
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
Thomas A. Underwood PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26942 | Section 9
Description
This course is designed for students seeking preparation for EXPO E-25 and for others wanting to review such basics of academic argument as thesis, evidence, and structure. Short writing assignments help students develop the skills essential for producing well-reasoned and substantiated academic essays. Students also learn strategies for reading and analyzing difficult texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Stephanie Harper PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor, Bryn Mawr College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17179 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
John Robert Sampson PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17204 | Section 3
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
S.F. Monaghan PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17093 | Section 4
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Sarah Ahrens PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17161 | Section 6
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Geraldine A. Grimm PhD, Lecturer on German, Harvard Divinity School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14620 | Section 7
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Lisa A. Gulesserian PhD, Preceptor on Armenian Language and Culture, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16142 | Section 8
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-October 26, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Keating Patrick Joseph McKeon PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17288 | Section 9
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Chris Walsh PhD, Associate Professor of English, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26836 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Jodi Johnson PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26726 | Section 2
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
S.F. Monaghan PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26823 | Section 4
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Sarah Ahrens PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24751 | Section 5
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Stephen Spencer PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25398 | Section 6
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Joan Feinberg MA, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25386 | Section 7
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-25
Academic Writing and Critical Reading
Paul A. Thur MA, Director of the Writing Center, College of General Studies, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 22801 | Section 8
Description
This course introduces students to the demands and conventions of academic reading and writing. It focuses on analyzing texts, building effective arguments, and using evidence and secondary source material. Instruction on the stages of the writing process, from prewriting exercises through rough drafts and revisions, forms a key part of the curriculum. Students applying to the undergraduate program at the Extension School must complete this course, but it is open to any student interested in gaining an understanding of academic writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Thomas Akbari MA, Lecturer in English, Northeastern University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17157 | Section 1
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Franklin J. Schwarzer JD, Attorney, Schlesinger and Buchbinder, LLP
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15544 | Section 2
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Virginia Maurer MA, Consultant
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17187 | Section 3
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Joan Feinberg MA, Consultant
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15546 | Section 5
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Randy Rosenthal MTS, Editor
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15784 | Section 6
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Franklin J. Schwarzer JD, Attorney, Schlesinger and Buchbinder, LLP
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26800 | Section 1
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Thomas Akbari MA, Lecturer in English, Northeastern University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25089 | Section 3
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Virginia Maurer MA, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25570 | Section 4
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Judith A. Murciano MA, Associate Director and Director of Fellowships, Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising, Harvard Law School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26534 | Section 6
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Randy Rosenthal MTS, Editor
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26791 | Section 7
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-34
Business Rhetoric
Franklin J. Schwarzer JD, Attorney, Schlesinger and Buchbinder, LLP
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26920 | Section 8
Description
This course helps business professionals improve their writing so that they are better equipped to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Students practice some of the essential forms of business writing, including e-mail messages, cover letters, memoranda, proposals, and presentations. Through frequent writing assignments of various kinds and regular feedback from the instructor and from peer reviewers, students learn to construct clear and precise sentences, develop coherent paragraphs, organize documents effectively, and use sources responsibly.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-42a
Writing in the Humanities
Jeffrey Robert Wilson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16888 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the humanities. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at the Harvard Extension School or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the work of reading, writing about, and conducting research on literary texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42a
Writing in the Humanities
Thomas A. Underwood PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25736 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the humanities. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at the Harvard Extension School or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the work of reading, writing about, and conducting research on literary texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42a
Writing in the Humanities
Jeffrey Robert Wilson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25910 | Section 2
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the humanities. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at the Harvard Extension School or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the work of reading, writing about, and conducting research on literary texts.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Erin Danielle Routon PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Department of Comparative Cultural Studies, University of Houston
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16887 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Sparsha Saha PhD, Lecturer on Government and Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15918 | Section 2
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Janling Fu AM
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15782 | Section 3
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Thomas A. Underwood PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17151 | Section 4
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Thomas A. Underwood PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16884 | Section 5
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Erin Danielle Routon PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Department of Comparative Cultural Studies, University of Houston
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26731 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26723 | Section 2
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Janling Fu AM
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24826 | Section 3
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Briana J. Smith PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26532 | Section 6
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42b
Writing in the Social Sciences
Suzanne T. Lane PhD, Senior Lecturer, Engineering Communications Program, Cornell University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26937 | Section 7
Description
This course is designed for students who wish to build upon the skills developed in EXPO E-25 in order to produce more advanced research and writing in the social sciences. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere. Students are introduced to the various social science disciplines and their approaches, while also learning how to become critical consumers of social science research. Students develop their own independent research project in the social science field of their choosing. This project lasts the entire semester and involves developing a viable research question; learning how to find, analyze, and interpret resources appropriately; and, finally, developing and refining an original argument in a final paper.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42c
Writing in the Sciences
Thomas Akbari MA, Lecturer in English, Northeastern University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16865 | Section 1
Description
This course provides instruction in writing for students considering careers or advanced study in the natural, computational, or applied sciences. Through critical reading of key examples of the genres of scientific literature, students study how scientific texts address an audience, make claims, invoke prior claims, deploy key terms, and engage quantitative and visual evidence. The course’s workshop approach fosters skills in revision, peer review, and research into the scientific literature. The course offers writing strategies for successful communication in the field, including concise sentences, coherent paragraphs, and well-ordered documents. Projects include an academic research paper on a topic of a student’s choice in a form common to most scientific disciplines. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42c
Writing in the Sciences
Kristen Starkowski PhD, Lecturer in Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14538 | Section 2
Description
This course provides instruction in writing for students considering careers or advanced study in the natural, computational, or applied sciences. Through critical reading of key examples of the genres of scientific literature, students study how scientific texts address an audience, make claims, invoke prior claims, deploy key terms, and engage quantitative and visual evidence. The course’s workshop approach fosters skills in revision, peer review, and research into the scientific literature. The course offers writing strategies for successful communication in the field, including concise sentences, coherent paragraphs, and well-ordered documents. Projects include an academic research paper on a topic of a student’s choice in a form common to most scientific disciplines. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42c
Writing in the Sciences
Thomas Akbari MA, Lecturer in English, Northeastern University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26728 | Section 1
Description
This course provides instruction in writing for students considering careers or advanced study in the natural, computational, or applied sciences. Through critical reading of key examples of the genres of scientific literature, students study how scientific texts address an audience, make claims, invoke prior claims, deploy key terms, and engage quantitative and visual evidence. The course’s workshop approach fosters skills in revision, peer review, and research into the scientific literature. The course offers writing strategies for successful communication in the field, including concise sentences, coherent paragraphs, and well-ordered documents. Projects include an academic research paper on a topic of a student’s choice in a form common to most scientific disciplines. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-42c
Writing in the Sciences
Kristen Starkowski PhD, Lecturer in Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26488 | Section 2
Description
This course provides instruction in writing for students considering careers or advanced study in the natural, computational, or applied sciences. Through critical reading of key examples of the genres of scientific literature, students study how scientific texts address an audience, make claims, invoke prior claims, deploy key terms, and engage quantitative and visual evidence. The course’s workshop approach fosters skills in revision, peer review, and research into the scientific literature. The course offers writing strategies for successful communication in the field, including concise sentences, coherent paragraphs, and well-ordered documents. Projects include an academic research paper on a topic of a student’s choice in a form common to most scientific disciplines. The course is also appropriate for students who wish to review their research and writing skills before embarking on a proseminar at Extension or graduate study elsewhere.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-49
Introduction to Strategic Communication and Public Relations
Terry Gipson MFA, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16914 | Section 1
Description
This course is a theoretical and practical introduction to the role of strategic communication and public relations in corporate, nonprofit, and political spheres. It includes analysis and practical application of the skills involved in building strategic communication relationships with various publics and core audiences.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-49
Introduction to Strategic Communication and Public Relations
Terry Gipson MFA, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17207 | Section 2
Description
This course is a theoretical and practical introduction to the role of strategic communication and public relations in corporate, nonprofit, and political spheres. It includes analysis and practical application of the skills involved in building strategic communication relationships with various publics and core audiences.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-49
Introduction to Strategic Communication and Public Relations
Terry Gipson MFA, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26712 | Section 1
Description
This course is a theoretical and practical introduction to the role of strategic communication and public relations in corporate, nonprofit, and political spheres. It includes analysis and practical application of the skills involved in building strategic communication relationships with various publics and core audiences.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
EXPO E-5
Fundamentals of Grammar
Judith A. Murciano MA, Associate Director and Director of Fellowships, Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising, Harvard Law School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13175 | Section 1
Description
This course is a review of the elements of grammar. We examine sentence structure, correct verb forms, case of pronouns, agreement, punctuation, and restrictive and nonrestrictive (that/which) clauses. Along the way, we learn something of the power and the pleasure of controlling grammar to make our words work for us exactly as we want them to. Short readings illustrate the basic elements and the beauties of grammar and style. Short writing assignments offer students opportunities to practice the lessons of the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-5
Fundamentals of Grammar
Virginia Maurer MA, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26829 | Section 1
Description
This course is a review of the elements of grammar. We examine sentence structure, correct verb forms, case of pronouns, agreement, punctuation, and restrictive and nonrestrictive (that/which) clauses. Along the way, we learn something of the power and the pleasure of controlling grammar to make our words work for us exactly as we want them to. Short readings illustrate the basic elements and the beauties of grammar and style. Short writing assignments offer students opportunities to practice the lessons of the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
EXPO E-90
Principles of Legal Writing
Franklin J. Schwarzer JD, Attorney, Schlesinger and Buchbinder, LLP
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15801 | Section 1
Description
No matter who you are, or what your background is, you will one day have to encounter legal writing. This course is designed for students interested in law school and those interested in improving their technical and analytical writing skills. Students are expected to draft and edit a variety of legal writings through exposure to litigation pleadings, transactional documents, and journalistic and academic articles regarding legal issues. The goal of the course is to teach students how to read, analyze, and write effectively about the law. Students also learn how to brief a case, how to read a statute, the basics of legal citation, and major schools of legal reasoning and analysis. There are many different kinds of legal writing. Any given day, an attorney may need to draft a complaint to initiate a lawsuit, an indemnity provision in a lease, an opinion letter to advise a client of the legal risks inherent in a particular course of action, or an appellate brief arguing why a judge should agree with a contested interpretation of the law. Each of these tasks requires writing that is clear, concise, and convincing. Each also requires slightly different approaches to writing. Ultimately though, whatever the task, good legal writing should never be legalese.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
FREN E-1
Intensive Elementary French I
Kimberlee Anne Campbell PhD, Consultant
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16457 | Section 1
Description
Students learn basic French grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills. This course features one-on-one conversations with the instructor, and small group discussions with other students. Assessment is by portfolio and conversations with the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Required half-hour conversation sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 29 students
FREN E-1a
Elementary French I
Anne Taieb MA, Senior Lecturer in French, Tufts University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15360 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to French with an emphasis on communication though various interactive activities and role-playing. Students practice all four activities (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). At the end of the semester, students are able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions, to introduce themselves and others, and to ask and answer questions about their daily activities.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
FREN E-1b
Elementary French I
Anne Taieb MA, Senior Lecturer in French, Tufts University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25004 | Section 1
Description
This course develops the basic communicative skills of listening, reading, and writing with an emphasis on speaking the language. Students improve their conversational French though various interactive activities. They are introduced to French and Francophone culture.
Prerequisites: FREN E-1a, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
FREN E-2
Intensive Elementary French II
Kimberlee Anne Campbell PhD, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26022 | Section 1
Description
Students continue to develop their communication skills, building on the materials from FREN E-1. This course features one-on-one conversations with the instructor and small group discussions with other students. Assessment is by portfolio and conversations with the instructor.
Prerequisites: FREN E-1b or FREN E-1.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Required half-hour conversation sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
GERM E-1
Intensive Elementary German I
Ruth Sondermann MBA, Work Abroad Program Officer, Germanic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 11066 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to provide students with a solid background in the four language learning skills: speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. At the end of the course, students are able to ask basic questions and understand the responses to those questions. They can conduct simple, everyday conversations and talk about themself, their family, and daily routines. Topics we cover are travels in German-speaking countries, finding your way around, comparing housing situations, and hobbies and likes.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
GERM E-2
Intensive Elementary German II
Ruth Sondermann MBA, Work Abroad Program Officer, Germanic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 20126 | Section 1
Description
This course is a continuation of GERM E-1. Students continue developing their communicative skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Class work moves from guided exercises that cultivate the student’s ability to apply correct grammar and syntax to more creative and independent uses of the German language. The course makes extensive use of technology to promote and enhance students’ comprehension of the German language, its speakers, and its culture.
Prerequisites: GERM E-1 or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
GOVT E-1008
Global Ethnic Politics
Gloria Y.A. Ayee PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25700 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comparative, global analysis of race and ethnicity, and is designed to help students understand the history, dynamics, and salience of ethnic inequality and political cleavage. Issues under consideration include definitions of race and ethnicity, colonization, nationhood, the politics and political history of indigenous peoples, the history and persistence of white supremacy, multiculturalism, legacies of slavery, ethnic political mobilization, panethnicity, diasporas and transnationalism, migration, ethnic cleansing and genocide, contemporary racial stratification, causes of ethnic conflict and violence, and responses to ethnic conflict.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1020
Res Publica: A History of Representative Government
Daniel Carpenter PhD, Allie S. Freed Professor of Government, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26799 | Section 1
Description
“A republic, if you can keep it.” So did Benjamin Franklin characterize his hopes for American government. What did Franklin and others mean by republic, and why did he and so many others worry that it might be something hard to hold onto? This course provides the theoretical basis and historical evolution of republics so that students can understand the American system of a democratic republic, now spread widely around the planet even as it is considered under threat. Students read Alexander Hamilton alongside Thomas Jefferson, Niccolo Machiavelli alongside Baron de Montesquieu, and Angelina Grimk alongside Frederick Douglass. We consider systems of governance in Republican Rome, medieval Europe, early modern England and France, Native American nations, and the United States. The thinkers and founders we read thought long and hard about what freedom is, how to balance executive and legislative power, and why republics and democracies can be unstable. As a democratic republic, the United States places great faith in the capacity of voters to choose their rulers, who in turn make most of our policies. Is this faith misplaced? What is the role for virtue in a republic, and what is virtue? How does inequality undermine republican stability, and what might be done about it?
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1032. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-4:15 pm starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
GOVT E-1035
Money, Markets, and Morals
Michael J. Sandel DPhil, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25941 | Section 1
Description
What should be the role of money and markets in our society? Are there some things that money should not be able to buy? Should people be permitted to buy sex, votes, babies, citizenship, or college admission? What about buying and selling the right to pollute, procreate, immigrate, discriminate, or to hunt endangered species? Should we use markets to govern health care, education, privacy, or criminal law? The course considers what moral limits, if any, the law should impose on market exchanges. Drawing upon classical philosophical works and contemporary moral and political controversies, we attempt to determine what goods and social practices should not be up for sale.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the video series for the Institute of New Economic Thinking.
GOVT E-1045
Justice
Michael J. Sandel DPhil, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16357 | Section 1
Description
This course explores critical analysis of classical and contemporary theories of justice, including discussion of present-day applications. Topics include affirmative action, income distribution, same-sex marriage, the role of markets, debates about rights (human rights and property rights), arguments for and against equality, and dilemmas of loyalty in public and private life. The course invites learners to subject their own views on these controversies to critical examination. The principal readings for the course are texts by Aristotle, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and John Rawls. Other assigned readings include writings by contemporary philosophers, court cases, and articles about political controversies that raise philosophical questions.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the HarvardX course.
GOVT E-1048
Human Rights and International Politics
Mathias Risse PhD, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights, Global Affairs and Philosophy, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23673 | Section 1
Description
This seminar is an introduction to human rights and the role they have come to play in international politics. The goal is to provide basic human rights literacy and to put students in a position to debate questions about human rights and dilemmas that arise about them.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
GOVT E-1054
Transitional Justice and the Politics of Truth Commissions
Gloria Y.A. Ayee PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16146 | Section 1
Description
Scholars, policymakers, and political leaders have long debated appropriate responses to severe human rights violations that occur during periods of civil conflict, war, and genocide. This course introduces students to interdisciplinary studies in transitional justice and post-conflict reconciliation by focusing on the work of truth and reconciliation commissions. Students examine key concepts and theoretical perspectives that are central to the field of transitional justice. Drawing on cases such as South Africa, Chile, Peru, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Panama, and Canada, the course critically examines how truth commissions are used to provide accountability for human rights abuses carried out by the state.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1111
Political Corruption
Jeeyang Rhee Baum PhD, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15794 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comparative analysis of political corruption in rich and poor countries around the world. Why do countries vary in the extent of corruption they experience and with what consequences? This course explores this question using empirical data, as well as related issues. For example, how and why do public officials abuse the public trust and engage in illegal actions while in office? Why is corruption so prevalent in poor countries? Does political corruption decline with economic development? What do politicians gain from political corruption? Under what conditions do countries adopt anti-corruption strategies and how effective have they been? We examine case studies including Afghanistan, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, South Korea, and the US.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
GOVT E-1113
Democratic Transitions in Comparative Perspective
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17152 | Section 1
Description
This course addresses the question of challenges faced by transitions toward democracy in governing systems. We focus on two interrelated questions, drawing upon both theoretical literature and case studies: what conditions are propitious or deleterious for durable democratic consolidation? And, in the latter instance, are there ways of overcoming less than ideal starting points? Posing these questions requires distinguishing between the process of democratization and the outcome of a stable, well-functioning democratic regime. In doing so, we examine problematic cases, historic and contemporary, where democracy has survived and thrived despite the initial odds. We also look at democratic reversals, where hopes of competitive elections and representative governance have been thwarted. The point of doing so is to have students think critically about democratic theory and the process of regime change to properly assess contemporary events, evaluating what factors are unfavorable to democracy, as well as whether these issues might be overcome through institutional design or other means.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
GOVT E-1135
Democracy: Breakthroughs and Breakdowns
Daniel Ziblatt PhD, Eaton Professor of the Science of Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17188 | Section 1
Description
What gives rise to democracy? What leads it to die? This course has a broad comparative and global sweep, seeking to answer these questions by analyzing the development of democracy in Europe, the United States, and Latin America. The course introduces students to competing conceptions of democracy, competing theories of when democracy is created and barriers to democratic survival, and analyzes major episodes of democratic breakthrough and breakdown ranging from the fall of the Berlin wall to the rise of Nazism and the collapse of democracy in cold war Latin America.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the spring 2022 Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences course Government 1130.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
GOVT E-1204
Capitalism, Democracy, and War in Central and Eastern Europe in Historical Perspective
Grzegorz Ekiert PhD, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17162 | Section 1
Description
The last one hundred years of east central European history represents a fascinating case for students of comparative politics interested in political transitions and regime changes, as well as social and economic transformations and their political consequences. During this period new states emerged, disappeared, and re-emerged in the region. Democratic, fascist, and communist regimes were established and dismantled. Economic systems were destroyed and rebuilt. Countries experienced wars, foreign invasions, revolutions and civil wars, state- and nation-building processes, economic and political crises, rapid social and cultural transformations, and modernization. This course examines critical periods in central and east European history and politics: the emergence and experiences of newly restored independent states in the aftermath of the First World War, the devastations of the Second World War and subsequent imposition of communist regimes, their evolution and their rapid and largely unanticipated collapse in 1989, subsequent transitions to democracy and a market economy, the accession to the European Union (EU) and the recent slowdown in economic reforms, democratic backsliding, the largely unexpected authoritarian turn in some of the new EU member states and Russian invasion of Ukraine. The course is designed to provide a general introduction to central and east European politics; survey existing interpretations of social, political and economic developments in the region; and examine these developments within the framework of the contemporary literature in comparative politics.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the spring 2024 Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Government 1203.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1246
Why Do People Choose Autocrats?
Yevgenia M Albats PhD, Walter Shorenstein Media and Democracy Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26796 | Section 1
Description
More than thirty years ago, 29 nations of central, southern, and eastern Europe, as nations in northern Caucasus and central Asia, embarked on the road from a one-party rule and state-controlled economy to a Western type of democracy and a market economy. Of those 29 nations, seven never made it, three are still trying, and at least three are falling in with populists and reverting back to authoritarian rule. Dictatorial Russia invaded a democratic neighboring Ukraine in an attempt to recreate the Tzarist/Soviet empire. During this course, we explore why some nations choose a heavy hand over freedom and what institutional, historical, cultural, and economic variables are responsible for variations in outcome by using examples from the broader world of autocrats and autocracies.
Prerequisites: GOVT E-20 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
GOVT E-1250
Transatlantic Relations after the Ukraine War
Francesca Giovannini DPhil, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26658 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the security of Europe and North America. The course explores the various security challenges faced by the transatlantic community, including Russian aggression, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, cyber attacks, and energy security. The course also examines the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in addressing these challenges and maintaining stability in the region. The course begins with an overview of the causes and consequences of the Ukraine war, including the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. It then explores the various diplomatic and military responses to the conflict, including sanctions, military exercises, and the deployment of NATO troops to eastern Europe. The course also examines the political and economic implications of the conflict, including the impact on NATO and the EU, the rise of nationalist movements in Europe, and the emergence of new alliances and partnerships. The course also covers the challenges posed by Russian aggression, including its military intervention in Ukraine, its support for separatist movements in the region, and its efforts to undermine Western democracies. The course examines the various strategies adopted by the transatlantic community to counter these challenges, including sanctions, military exercises, and diplomatic initiatives. The course also delves into the issue of energy security in the region, exploring the role of natural gas and oil in shaping the transatlantic security landscape. The course examines the implications of Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, the impact of the shale gas revolution on the energy market, and the role of alternative energy sources in promoting energy security. The course concludes with a discussion of the future of transatlantic security, including the prospects for conflict resolution in Ukraine, the future of NATO and the EU, and the role of new actors such as China and India in shaping the security landscape. The course emphasizes the importance of transatlantic cooperation in addressing the security challenges faced by the region and the need for a comprehensive approach that combines diplomatic, military, and economic tools.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-March 15, 5:30pm-7:45pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
GOVT E-1280
Government and Politics of China
Yuhua Wang PhD, Professor of Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17153 | Section 1
Description
This course is a broad introduction to the main issues of contemporary Chinese politics and social change. Although there is a strong focus on the reform period (post-1978), we also spend considerable time and energy on understanding the previous century of change and upheaval, including the decline of the last imperial dynasty, the rise of communism, and China under the rule of Mao Zedong (1949-1976). The course is divided into two sections. The first section covers the period from the end of the last imperial dynasty to the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976. The second section examines the last 40 years of economic reform, looking at both how the reforms began and how they were sustained. We also investigate the many political and social consequences of reform and the changing landscape of Chinese politics. We spend some time discussing China’s economic and political relationships with the United States and the rest of the world.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Government 1280. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1:15 pm starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
GOVT E-1297
African Politics in Perspective: Groups, Governance, and Growth
Gloria Y.A. Ayee PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16966 | Section 1
Description
Africa is a diverse continent, rich in human and natural resources. According to recent projections, Africa will account for more than half of global population growth in the coming decades, doubling its current population of 1.2 billion people by the year 2050. With rapid urbanization across the continent, Africa is primed to become a key player in the global economic order and the center of the world’s urban megalopolises. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to wide-ranging issues that shape contemporary politics in Africa. To understand the complexity of cultures and dynamic social structures, the nature and development of political systems on the continent, Africa’s place in the geopolitical arena, and the economic prospects for individual nations and the continent as a whole, we critically explore issues related to group identity and social cohesion, examine pre-colonial structures, European colonialism and imperialism, and legacies of colonialism, and evaluate how post-colonial states have grappled with democratization, nation-building, political violence, conflict, and security issues. The following guiding questions frame our study of African politics: how has Africa been shaped by colonialism and its legacies? What factors drive economic growth and development on the continent? What accounts for the relatively high levels of political violence in some African states? What are the socioeconomic and political prospects for shaping Africa’s future? To answer these questions, we examine broad patterns across the continent and consider the political, economic, and social contexts in individual countries. Key thematic areas that are the foundation for this course are pre-colonial political structures; European colonialism and imperialism; nationalism and decolonization; race and ethnic identity; gender politics in Africa; neocolonialism and African economy; ethnic conflict and violence; post-conflict reconstruction; democratization; transitional justice in Africa; Africa in the geopolitical arena; diaspora and transnational solidarity; and economic dimensions of African politics. This course draws from different academic disciplines, including political science, economics, anthropology, sociology, and history.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
GOVT E-1313
Race, Film, and American Politics
Gloria Y.A. Ayee PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25677 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the multifaceted ways in which racial and ethnic identity has been represented in American film. Drawing on political science, sociology, anthropology, and film and media studies, we assess the ways in which the mainstream media in the United States focusing primarily on the Hollywood film industry has portrayed different population groups and shaped our understanding of what it means to be American. The course addresses issues of social stratification and considers the intersection of identity and politics by analyzing historical shifts in cinematic representation in the United States.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
GOVT E-1355
American Elections and Party Power
Daniel J. Epstein PhD, Lecturer on Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17166 | Section 1
Description
National elections have enormous consequences. Political parties are the institutional actors that contest and win almost every state and federal election. The present and past development of the US party system and how the parties have contested elections is the focus of this course, especially the parties’ changing ideologies, personalities, and geographic variation over time, up through and including the 2024 presidential primaries. Students learn about theoretical views of political parties, the electoral rules that produce party incentives and structures, and key moments in the development of the US political party system. The current events of the 2024 presidential race also are an important focus as the party primaries unfold over the course of the semester.
Prerequisites: GOVT E-30 recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
GOVT E-1372
The Civil Rights Movement in America
Andrew Joseph Pope PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26216 | Section 1
Description
Tens of thousands of African Americans led a decades-long struggle for liberation and equality during the twentieth century. The Black freedom struggle, or the civil rights movement, encompassed a range of economic, social, and political demands that affected every person living in the United States. This course re-examines parts of the movement that are well known, like Martin Luther King, Jr., or non-violent direct action, as well as lesser-known elements of the movement like sharecroppers in Alabama joining the Communist Party or the role of Black Power advocates in shaping modern America. Together we study the art, literature, music, and history of the movement and how it transformed American society. The course focuses on deepening our knowledge of the civil rights movement through in-depth discussions during class. Each day students have a reading to complete. In class, we read primary sources together and I offer short lectures to help contextualize each class’s discussion topics. There is always time for questions. Students do not need any previous study of African American history in order to take this course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
GOVT E-1620
The Geopolitics of Technology
Francesca Giovannini DPhil, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17189 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students delve into various geopolitical dynamics influenced by technological advancements. These dynamics encompass a broad range of areas where technology and geopolitics intersect, creating new challenges and opportunities for states and non-state actors alike. We explore technology and power shifts in order to understand how technology contributes to shifts in global power. This includes the rise of new technological superpowers, the impact of technology on economic and military capabilities, and how digital platforms can influence global narratives and public opinion. We discuss cybersecurity and cyber warfare, examining the increasing role of cyberspace in geopolitical strategies, including cyber espionage, cyber warfare, and information warfare. The course explores how nations protect their digital infrastructure and the implications of cyber attacks on national security and international relations. We devote time to examining digital sovereignty and internet governance, investigating how countries are asserting control over their digital spaces, the fragmentation of the internet, and the battle for control over data flows and digital infrastructure. We analyze how technology is at the forefront of trade wars and economic competitions, including issues related to technology transfer, intellectual property rights, and the race for technological supremacy in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and 5G internet. The course delves into the geopolitical implications of surveillance technologies and data collection practices, includes state surveillance for national security, the role of technology companies in data collection, and the impact on privacy and human rights. We explore how technological developments lead to the formation of new alliances and rivalries, both among states and between states and non-state actors. This includes technology-sharing agreements, standards-setting bodies, and the geopolitics of technology supply chains. Time is spent assessing how emerging technologies like autonomous weapons systems, drones, and AI are changing the nature of warfare and defense strategies. The course explores the ethical, strategic, and operational implications of these technologies. Finally, we cover the impact of technology on global issues by investigating how technology can both exacerbate and solve global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and humanitarian crises. This includes the role of clean energy technologies, biotechnology, and digital health solutions.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
GOVT E-1722
The Politics of Climate Change and the Environment
Dustin Tingley PhD, Professor of Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16910 | Section 1
Description
Climate change, as well as a host of environmental challenges like access to clean water, pose an existential threat to our planet. This course studies how politics can be both an obstacle and a solution to solving these problems. Students may not count both GOVT E-1722 and GOVT S-1511 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
GOVT E-1722
The Politics of Climate Change and the Environment
Dustin Tingley PhD, Professor of Government, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26246 | Section 1
Description
Climate change, as well as a host of environmental challenges like access to clean water, pose an existential threat to our planet. This course studies how politics can be both an obstacle and a solution to solving these problems. Students may not count both GOVT E-1722 and GOVT S-1511 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
GOVT E-1726
Intelligence and International Security
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16120 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the opaque world of intelligence and international security. The course begins with a survey of disciplines and methods of analysis before reviewing intelligence requirements as a component in policy processes that drive and inform decision making within the national security system. We consider various intelligence related topics including espionage, covert action, politicization, counterintelligence, public oversight, intelligence failure, and reform. The course strikes a balance between contemporary issues and the storied histories of intelligence systems around the world. Though predominantly focused on the United States, the course also considers intelligence activities in the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and elsewhere. Students grapple with historical and hypothetical problem sets based on real-world scenarios to develop assessment capabilities. Required readings and assignments draw on classic and influential work in addition to declassified documents which illuminate the historical narrative in a tangible way. The course concludes with reflections on how past experience informs current perspectives and might elucidate future intelligence requirements to better anticipate and understand the changing world.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
GOVT E-1726
Intelligence and International Security
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26077 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the opaque world of intelligence and international security. The course begins with a survey of disciplines and methods of analysis before reviewing intelligence requirements as a component in policy processes that drive and inform decision making within the national security system. We consider various intelligence related topics including espionage, covert action, politicization, counterintelligence, public oversight, intelligence failure, and reform. The course strikes a balance between contemporary issues and the storied histories of intelligence systems around the world. Though predominantly focused on the United States, the course also considers intelligence activities in the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and elsewhere. Students grapple with historical and hypothetical problem sets based on real-world scenarios to develop assessment capabilities. Required readings and assignments draw on classic and influential work in addition to declassified documents which illuminate the historical narrative in a tangible way. The course concludes with reflections on how past experience informs current perspectives and might elucidate future intelligence requirements to better anticipate and understand the changing world.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
GOVT E-1743
Cyberspace and International Security
Derek Reveron PhD, Lecturer in Extension and Faculty Affiliate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, and Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25629 | Section 1
Description
In a very short time, individuals and companies have harnessed cyberspace to create new industries, a vibrant social space, and a new economic sphere that are intertwined with our everyday lives. At the same time, individuals, subnational groups, and governments are using cyberspace to advance interests through malicious activity. Terrorists recruit, train, and target through the internet, hackers steal data, and intelligence services conduct espionage. Still, the vast majority of cyberspace is a civilian space used by individuals, businesses, and governments for legitimate purposes. This course examines current and future threats to cyberspace, studies various approaches to advance and defend national interests, and contrasts the US approach with European, Russian, and Chinese approaches in cyberspace.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
GOVT E-1743a
Cyber Attack Meets Cyber Policy
Derek Reveron PhD, Lecturer in Extension and Faculty Affiliate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, and Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16978 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students wrestle with the challenges of different cyber futures. Students are cast as key members of the US national security community to discuss cyber vulnerabilities, current US cyber policy, and the challenges associated with recovering from a major cyber attack.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Saturday, October 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Sunday, October 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: September 27, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1744
Women, Peace, and Security
Joan Johnson-Freese PhD, Senior Fellow, Women in International Security
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17159 | Section 1
Description
Women, peace, and security is an evidenced-based framework acknowledging the role of gender equality in security at the individual, community, national, and international levels and seeking to globally support gender equality toward sustainable, positive peace. Based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 passed in 2000, the Women, Peace Security Act was passed as the law of the land in the US in 2017, with the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) charged with implementation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Saturday, Sunday, September 21-22, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
GOVT E-1748
Agents of Change: Mastering Policy for Impact
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Don Parker ALM
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26820 | Section 1
Description
This course offers students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of public policy while simultaneously empowering them to engage and shape domestic and foreign policy issues of interest to them. It provides a foundational grounding in policy approaches in addition to professional training in core instruments of the policy process. We consider topics from the local to state and federal level in addition to national security challenges and strategy development. Participants learn and apply specific tools that are successfully used in government and policy. Class meetings include discussion of society’s most pressing issues, analytical methodologies, the policy toolbox, and critical communication, feedback, and evaluation strategies. We examine case studies that reflect lessons for how to successfully innovate or orchestrate new ways to solve old problems. The course integrates critical perspectives including public-private sector cooperation, federal versus state approaches, and effective tools for shaping change at the local level. Students are permitted choose and focus on a specific policy topic for their assignments and final paper in addition to a short briefing provided to the class on the last day. Individuals engaged with the policy process at any level, or those considering public service, will find this course beneficial.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, April 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, April 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: March 28, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1786
Globalization and the Nation-State
Nicolas Prevelakis PhD, Associate Senior Lecturer on Social Studies, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17201 | Section 1
Description
Despite globalization, the nation is still a major actor in today’s world. This course tries to understand why this is so by examining the role that nationalism plays in peoples’ identities and the effects of globalization on nations and nation-states. It overviews the origins and nature of economic globalization, as it appeared in the 1990s, including a critical examination of the hopes expressed at the time about an end of history, and of the relationship between economic globalization and such issues as democracy, peace, and poverty. It includes theoretical texts, as well as case studies from the recent rise of populism and authoritarianism, the role of supranational entities such as the European Union, and the urgency of global issues such as climate change, inequality, and migration. Examples are from the United States, Europe, Latin America, China, and the Middle East.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
GOVT E-1796a
Future Foreign Policy and Defense Strategy
Derek Reveron PhD, Lecturer in Extension and Faculty Affiliate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, and Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26618 | Section 1
Description
Students use their experience wrestling with the most pressing national security challenges to inform how the US government should be positioned to advance and defend national interests. Students are cast as key participants in the interagency process to debate the salience of national security challenges, discuss the ways those challenges have an impact on US national security, and outline future directions for US foreign policy.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 7, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Saturday, March 8, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Sunday, March 9, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: February 21, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1799
The Situation Room: A National Security Council Exercise
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17181 | Section 1
Description
This active learning weekend simulates the working experience of the United States National Security Council (NSC). Students role play as an individual member of the NSC: as either a statutory participant of the Principals Committee (PC), Deputies Committee (DC), or an ad hoc policy member from across government. These roles are assigned prior to the weekend for advanced familiarly on their responsibilities on the NSC. Students are required to work in teams and subunits grappling with real-world problems under the impetus of time as a hypothetical yet realistic crisis scenario unfolds. Breakout sessions require the production of key documents, memorandum, briefing content, and the development of policy options. PC meetings require briefing the President of the United States (POTUS) on potential courses of action along with updates concerning policy developments. DC meetings foster tough discussion and appreciation for the various departments, agencies, and outcomes of large bureaucracies zeroed in on complex problems. Policy discussion examines precedent, produces realistic assessments, and sparks creativity in solving challenges many deem unsolvable. Consideration for decision making, policy implementation, and communication highlight known and under-appreciated organizational dynamics. Required readings in advance of the weekend, dedicated lecture time, and special guests illuminate national security history in a tangible way that explores the challenges of planning and managing a crisis unfolding in near real time.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 22, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, November 23, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, November 24, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: November 08, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
GOVT E-1820
Grand Strategy in International Relations and US Foreign Policy
Sergio Imparato PhD, Lecturer on Government, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26462 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the concept of grand strategy in international relations and US foreign policy. The main purpose is to analyze the ways in which nations formulate, implement, and assess strategic options to advance their perceived interests in the international arena. How do states allocate their resources to achieve their goals? Special attention is placed on the study of political, military, and diplomatic resources in the context of American foreign policy. The course has three components. The first addresses the main theoretical approaches to grand strategy in international relations literature. The second traces the historical development of US grand strategy. The third evaluates the policy relevance of grand strategy options available to the US today. Some of the questions that guide our discussions are: what is grand strategy and what is it for? What are the sources of grand strategy and how are grand strategies formulated? What are the main tools to implement a grand strategy? Should the US engage in an active internationalist strategy or retreat from its international commitments?
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
GOVT E-1886
The Role of Nuclear Weapons in the Twenty-First Century
Francesca Giovannini DPhil, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14188 | Section 1
Description
Nuclear weapons have played a significant role in shaping the international security landscape since their development in the mid-twentieth century. The deployment of nuclear weapons by superpowers during the cold war created a system of deterrence and their potential for mass destruction remains a major concern for international security to this day. In this course, we explore the history and evolution of nuclear weapons, the strategic and political implications of nuclear deterrence, and current efforts to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons. The course begina with a brief history of the development of nuclear weapons, including the Manhattan Project and the events leading up to their deployment during World War II. We also examine the cold war arms race, including the strategy of mutual assured destruction (MAD), and the impact of nuclear weapons on international relations. Next, we focus on the political and strategic implications of nuclear deterrence. We explore the ways in which nuclear weapons have influenced state behavior, including their role in preventing major wars between nuclear-armed states. We also examine the impact of nuclear weapons on regional and global security, including the potential for nuclear escalation and the spread of nuclear weapons to other states. The course examines in particular the evolving relation between the United States and the Russian Federation, the expanding nuclear arsenal of China, the North Korea threat, and the proliferation risks of Iran. We also discuss possible escalation risks between India and Pakistan and explore how Taiwan and Ukraine might both lead to dangerous confrontations among major nuclear players. In addition to discussing the historical and political aspects of nuclear weapons, the course also examines current efforts to reduce and eliminate them. This includes a discussion of arms control and disarmament negotiations, such as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), as well as non-proliferation efforts aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to new states. Throughout the course, we also consider the ethical and moral dimensions of nuclear weapons, including the debate over just war theory and the humanitarian consequences of their use. This includes an examination of the arguments for and against nuclear deterrence and the role of civil society in shaping public opinion on nuclear weapons.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
GOVT E-1889
Evolution of Deterrence Theory
Nikolas Gvosdev DPhil, Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16443 | Section 1
Description
Deterrence is the use of threats to convince an adversary from taking an action and is part of a larger concept of coercion. Throughout history, deterrence has been used by people and states to manage conflict. The formal development of deterrence theory came about after World War II specifically to find ways to think about and utilize nuclear weapons. This course examines the foundational concepts of deterrence theory and how that theory has evolved since 1945, with a particular emphasis on how theory has informed practitioners both military and civilian who manage the nuclear enterprise. In addition, we consider the application of deterrence to international security in the cold war and post-cold war years. Finally, we assess current nuclear arsenals and strategy along with the role deterrence continues to play in the future of nuclear weapons, as well as application of deterrence theory to non-nuclear strategic weapons. This course is designed especially for national security professionals, although it is open to anyone.
Prerequisites: HIST E-1960 is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
GOVT E-1978
The Politics and Ideology of Post-Revolutionary Iran
Payam Mohseni PhD, Director of the Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17198 | Section 1
Description
The significance of Iran in Middle Eastern and global affairs is now more important than ever. From its internal domestic politics to its role across the region in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the political trajectory of Iran is critical for the future of peace and conflict in the Middle East. To contextualize and understand these processes, this course examines the intricacies of Iranian politics since the 1979 revolution. It explores a broad range of topics including the causes of the Iranian revolution; the institutional architecture of the Iranian political system; competitive factional dynamics within the ruling elite; Iranian foreign policy, Iran-US relations, and the implications of the violated nuclear agreement; and contemporary Shi’a political ideology.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
GOVT E-1979
Shi’a Islam and Politics in the Middle East
Mohammad Sagha PhD, Lecturer in the Modern Middle East, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Payam Mohseni PhD, Director of the Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26737 | Section 1
Description
From the conflict in Yemen pitting the Shi’a Houthis against a Saudi-led coalition, to the civil war in Syria and the Shi’a majority militia-led fight against the remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Iraq, dominant media narratives portray conflict in today’s Middle East as part of a proxy battle between Iran and Saudi Arabia rooted in an ancient dispute within the Muslim world between the Shi’a and Sunni sects of Islam. In this rendering, primordial hatreds are driving religious wars and civil conflict with Iran, at the heart of the so-called Shi’a crescent, and Saudi Arabia, the stalwart of true Sunni identity. However, such approaches mask over a more complex understanding of the changes occurring in today’s Middle East and prevents accurately differentiating between distinct yet overlapping factors such as actual substantive theological and intellectual differences between Shi’a and Sunni Islam, state competition (that is, between Iran and Saudi Arabia), and historical legacies of empire and state building in the Middle East. This course addresses such dominant narratives and challenges conventional understandings of the interplay between religion and politics in the Middle East and how sectarianism, Shi’a Islam, and geopolitical conflict can be more properly understood from a rigorous analytical perspective and focuses on the foundations and varieties of modern Shi’a political thought; religious clerical institutions; Shi’a political parties and militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen; and Iran’s Islamic revolution, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), and the Basij paramilitary organization.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
GOVT E-2004
Policy Communication: Writing, Engaging, and Shaping Decisions
Andrew Joseph Pope PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17156 | Section 1
Description
Scholarly research has the potential to transform public policy only if the research is used by policymakers. The course takes up crucial questions about how research moves from academia into policymaking, including: how do American policymakers use research evidence in their day-to-day work? How can academic researchers increase the likelihood that their work is used by policymakers? What types of writing and engagement are most persuasive to policy audiences? The course endeavors to better understand how policymakers and practitioners use research evidence and how researchers can increase the likelihood that their own work can reach audiences outside of the academy. Throughout the course, students learn how to write, engage, and communicate scholarly research with diverse audiences outside of academia. Students gain subject-matter expertise in the study of how research evidence is used in policymaking. Each week, we examine debates from the use of research evidence field to hone our own knowledge and expertise. Guest lectures from scholars and policymakers give us a first-hand opportunity to learn and ask questions. Then, students write one work of scholarly translation for a policy audience: either a policy brief or a research-based op-ed. Although students pick just one to write for the final assignment, every student learns how to write both a policy brief and an op-ed. The in-person weekend provides an opportunity to workshop their ideas and drafts with their peers and the teaching team. The weekend culminates with an oral presentation of their policy contribution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, November 9, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, November 10, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
GOVT E-40
International Conflict and Cooperation
Dustin Tingley PhD, Professor of Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15054 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the analysis of the causes and character of international conflict and cooperation. Theories of international relations are presented and then applied to contemporary and historical cases. The course begins with a foundational review of the different levels at which states interact and the primary theoretical paradigms in the field. It then addresses how states achieve cooperation in the face of international anarchy, a question that has attracted the attention of scholars since Thucydides. The course next addresses basic bargaining theory, which uses insights from economics to explore how bargaining breakdowns, commitment problems, and incomplete information can lead to war. Thereafter we examine three popular topics in contemporary international relations research: the roles that psychology, leaders, and domestic politics play in explaining international conflict and cooperation. We also explore the sources and effects of international institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization. We spend a week studying terrorism, a problem of particular significance in the modern world. We also look at trade, foreign aid, international development, and climate change. We conclude with international law and an exploration of the future of international relations.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
GOVT E-40
International Conflict and Cooperation
Dustin Tingley PhD, Professor of Government, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24799 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the analysis of the causes and character of international conflict and cooperation. Theories of international relations are presented and then applied to contemporary and historical cases. The course begins with a foundational review of the different levels at which states interact and the primary theoretical paradigms in the field. It then addresses how states achieve cooperation in the face of international anarchy, a question that has attracted the attention of scholars since Thucydides. The course next addresses basic bargaining theory, which uses insights from economics to explore how bargaining breakdowns, commitment problems, and incomplete information can lead to war. Thereafter we examine three popular topics in contemporary international relations research: the roles that psychology, leaders, and domestic politics play in explaining international conflict and cooperation. We also explore the sources and effects of international institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization. We spend a week studying terrorism, a problem of particular significance in the modern world. We also look at trade, foreign aid, international development, and climate change. We conclude with international law and an exploration of the future of international relations.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
GOVT E-594
Deliberative Justice Precapstone: The Theory and Practice of Good Citizenship
Sergio Imparato PhD, Lecturer on Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16373 | Section 1
Description
The course is an introduction to the theory, methods, and practice of deliberative moral reasoning. Students learn how to effectively identify and analyze ethical dilemmas relevant to their communities, how to constructively engage in civic debates, and how to present persuasive moral arguments in public settings. Class meetings feature presentations that address the students’ topics of interest, discussions on methods of moral deliberation, and assignments that bolster written and oral communication. Emphasis is placed on the development of the written and rhetorical skills needed to advance moral arguments of a political nature. Examples include issues of social, political, and economic inequalities; environment, healthcare and biomedical issues; migration, civic membership, and issues of privacy; technology; and dignity of work.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, GOVT E-599c, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Students in this course and GOVT E-94 may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they will do so alongside students in the other course. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 17 students
GOVT E-595
Policy Writing and Analysis Precapstone
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17163 | Section 1
Description
The aim of the course is to provide students with the critical and analytical skills to evaluate, design, and write a policy paper. A policy paper is a scholarly work that analyzes a relevant policy issue and provides evidence-based, actionable recommendations. Emphasis is placed on the identification of policy problems, the use of methodological tools to analyze them, and the design and presentation of potential solutions. Class meetings feature presentations of policy papers that address the students’ topics of interest, discussions of research strategies employed by policy analysts, and assignments that bolster written and oral communication. Students learn about all aspects of policy paper design, including the identification of relevant data sources, techniques for analysis, and the proper method of presenting policy paper findings. Examples of policy paper topics include migration and refugee policies, social and economic inequality issues, environmental and sustainability issues, gender equality and gender-based violence issues, cyberwarfare strategies, counterterrorism strategies, and issues of international security and nuclear proliferation.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, GOVT E-599, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
GOVT E-595
Policy Writing and Analysis Precapstone
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15493 | Section 2
Description
This course prepares students for advanced study, writing, and research in policy analysis. Lectures and in-class activities prioritize diagnosis and communication of problems followed by the development of methodological policy prescriptions. Topical readings encompass the foreign and domestic spectrum including historical case studies to illustrate dynamics in motion. Coursework stresses tangible skills to better evaluate, design, and write policy papers. A policy paper is a scholarly work that analyzes a relevant issue and provides evidence-based, actionable recommendations for decision-makers and organizational leaders. Emphasis is placed on the identification of policy challenges, the use of methodological tools to analyze them, and the design and presentation of potential solutions. This course further explores public policy including a comprehensive review of processes that drive and inform decision making at the local, state, federal, and international levels. Students are provided ample writing and research opportunities to explore issues of personal and professional interest in the production of a high-quality policy paper. Assignments include practical tools and skills most frequently used in policy settings such as memos and briefings, but also longer analytical papers and presentations.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, GOVT E-599, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
GOVT E-597
National Security Writing and Analysis Precapstone
Derek Reveron PhD, Lecturer in Extension and Faculty Affiliate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, and Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16317 | Section 1
Description
This course prepares students for advanced study, writing, and research in national security. This course explores the national security system and policy processes that drive and inform decision making. Readings span current affairs and historical cases to illustrate dynamics of strategic decision making. Assignments include the development of practical tools and skills most frequently used in national security settings such as memos, briefings, and working group presentations. There is individual and in-class group work that simulates the experience of real-world practitioners working in national security from the front lines of the military, intelligence community, and civilian workforce to top level decision making inside the White House.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, GOVT E-599b, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 27 students
GOVT E-597a
Strategies to Advance Social Change Precapstone
Flavia Perea PhD, Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16632 | Section 1
Description
How can we make change? In this course we explore the ethical foundations, principles, methods, tools, and skill-set essential for designing strategies to advance social change. We explore various perspectives and practices for students to equip themselves with the tools to imagine and design novel, rigorous, and equity-centered strategies to make progress towards justice in society. Together we engage with various ideas and materials drawn from law and policy, community organizing, advocacy, the social sciences, journalism, documentary film, community health, and personal narrative, as well as scholarly literature, both contemporary and historical, with an eye towards the future. The course emphasizes collaborative approaches for advancing social change through partnership, movement and coalition building, collective agency, empowerment, and organizing to cultivate and sustain collaborative efforts that leverage individual and collective agency and capacity for our liberation. Interrogating and dissecting harmful systems of power is central to our work, as students each develop individual projects that leverage inquiry for purposeful transformative action to help dismantle structures of domination and oppression. Students may not take both GOVT E-597a and GOVT E-1072 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, anthropology, government, international relations, or religion, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, GOVT E-599a, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
GOVT E-599
Policy Analysis Capstone
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26801 | Section 1
Description
This course offers candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in GOVT E-595 to conduct independent policy analysis and write a professional policy paper. In consultation with the instructor, students select a concrete policy problem, produce autonomous research to analyze it, and provide a set of actionable recommendations to solve it. Throughout the semester, students receive feedback both from their peers and the instructor to aid the development of their projects. Class meetings include the development of writing schedules, discussions focused on policy analysis methodology, and peer-review analysis of student projects. Emphasis is placed on the identification of potential target audiences, such as governmental agencies, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and policy makers and practitioners. The capstone project culminates with a formal presentation of the students’ projects to a panel of experts.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, GOVT E-595, with the same instructor in the prior fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
GOVT E-599
Policy Analysis Capstone
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25115 | Section 2
Description
This course offers candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in GOVT E-595 to conduct independent policy analysis, write a comprehensive paper, and brief a professional audience. In consultation with the instructor, students select a concrete policy problem, conduct autonomous research to analyze the topic in detail, and provide a set of actionable recommendations for consideration by an outside panel of experts. Throughout the semester students receive feedback from their peers, instructors, and staff to aid project development. Class meetings include the creation of writing schedules, discussions focused on policy analysis methodology, and peer-review analysis of student projects. As time permits special guests are invited to share insights on policy related issues. Students are provided ample writing and research opportunities to explore topics of personal and professional interest in the production of high-quality policy papers worthy of publication outside of the course. Projects are team oriented reflecting a real-world approach seen at the local, state, federal, and international levels on policy matters foreign and domestic. Emphasis is placed on the identification of potential target audiences, such as governmental agencies, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), policymakers, and practitioners. The capstone project culminates with a formal presentation of projects to a panel of policy experts and includes detailed feedback and consideration of the arguments, ideas, and recommendations.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, GOVT E-595, with the same instructor in the prior fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
GOVT E-599a
Social Justice Capstone: Equity and the Struggle for Justice
Flavia Perea PhD, Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25071 | Section 1
Description
In this course, candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government, international relations, or religion further develop and implement the project they began designing in GOVT E-597a, as students move from concepts, theory, and aspirations to their concrete applications in the real world. Projects require a strong conceptual foundation ground in evidence, best practices, as well as the principles and methods integral for the formulation of equitable, impactful, and transformative strategies to advance social change. The course takes a workshop approach where students work in small groups, continually supporting each other to further develop individual projects that engage collaborators, communities, stakeholders, or the broader public to plan and carry out action. Students share their work and progress in their small groups and with the whole class throughout the term.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, anthropology, government, international relations, or religion, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, GOVT E-597a, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
GOVT E-599b
National Security Analysis Capstone
Derek Reveron PhD, Lecturer in Extension and Faculty Affiliate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University, and Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25112 | Section 1
Description
This course provides candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, an opportunity to complete a national security policy research project. The students frame a problem for analysis, complete an in-depth research project, and present their findings to senior representatives from a government organization.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other degree-fulfilling course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, GOVT E-597, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, Sunday, April 26-27, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 27 students
GOVT E-599c
Deliberative Justice Capstone
Sergio Imparato PhD, Lecturer on Government, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25957 | Section 1
Description
This course allows students to apply the knowledge acquired in GOVT E-594 to produce a capstone essay. In consultation with the instructor, students work in groups to identify ethical conflicts that affect their communities and work towards the development of an argumentative essay. Throughout the semester, students receive feedback both from their peers and the instructor to aid in the development of their group projects. Class meetings include the development of writing schedules, discussions focused on moral reasoning methodology, and peer-review analysis of student projects. The capstone culminates with a formal presentation of the students’ argument to a local town hall meeting.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or international relations, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, GOVT E-594, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 17 students
GOVT E-94
Deliberative Justice: The Theory and Practice of Good Citizenship
Sergio Imparato PhD, Lecturer on Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16401 | Section 1
Description
The course is an introduction to the theory, methods, and practice of deliberative moral reasoning. Students learn how to effectively identify and analyze ethical dilemmas relevant to their communities, how to constructively engage in civic debates, and how to present persuasive moral arguments in public settings. Class meetings feature presentations that address the students’ topics of interest, discussions on methods of moral deliberation, and assignments that bolster written and oral communication. Emphasis is placed on the development of the written and rhetorical skills needed to advance moral arguments of a political nature. Examples include issues of social, political, and economic inequalities, environment, healthcare, and biomedical issues, migration, civic membership, and issues of privacy, technology, and dignity of work.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Students in this course and GOVT E-594 may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they will do so alongside students in the other course. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
GRGN E-1
Beginning Georgian
Mzia Shanava MA, Teaching Assistant in Slavic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Stephen Francis Jones PhD, Senior Researcher in the Program on Georgian Studies, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University and Professor of Russian and Eurasian Studies, Mount Holyoke College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17172 | Section 1
Description
This intensive course provides a comprehensive introduction to the modern Georgian language and culture for those who would like to speak Georgian or use the language for reading and research. Designed for students without any previous knowledge of Georgian, the course stresses all four major communicative skills (speaking, listening and viewing comprehension, reading, and writing). Students are introduced to Georgian culture through readings, screenings, and class discussions. This course prepares students to continue in Georgian at the intermediate level, for future study or travel abroad. For this course our focus is concentrated on vocabulary and pronunciation. Students also listen and comprehend natural spoken language and are exposed to as many of the introductory phrases and sentences as possible. With hard work and enthusiasm, this ancient and notoriously difficult language comes to a perfect, orderly, comprehensible, and beautiful system.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HARC E-179
Understanding Architecture
Mark R. Johnson MArch, Director of Development, DivcoWest Real Estate Investments
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26918 | Section 1
Description
How does one understand a work of architecture? We can look to the humanities to help answer this question. For example, identifying a poem’s characteristics its form, rhyme, meter, and imagery can enrich one’s understanding of the poet’s artistic intent and the meaning ascribed to the work today. What are the analogous methods for understanding a work of architecture? Using the finest examples of American architecture located on the Harvard campus, students are asked to analyze buildings using a rigorous conceptual framework and then synthesize their findings according to how contemporary observers may ascribe meaning to the built work.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
HARC E-181
Reinventing the Boston Museum of Fine Arts: The Twentieth Century and Today
Mary Crawford-Volk PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26807 | Section 1
Description
Anyone visiting a major art museum today quickly realizes how popular such places have become. Crowds overflow special events, timed tickets sell out, exhibition schedules stretch to meet demand. Contributing to this is the fact that art museums’ traditional roles acquiring, displaying, and preserving works of art have evolved to embrace a larger agenda as important cultural centers, where dining, shopping, and socializing now complement, and can even compete with, the art. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) offers an especially rich example of this phenomenon. Treating it as a case study, the course examines the MFA’s twentieth-century development as a world-class treasure-house of masterpieces, and then consider a range of such issues that bear on its continuing vitality today. Recently, these also include ethical questions about object provenances, procedures for new acquisitions, commercial sources of revenue, appropriate exhibition content, and programming for diverse audiences. Looking at what the museum is doing to address these issues opens questions about the art museum of the future another fascinating subject.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
HARC E-195
History of Photography
Collier Brown PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26609 | Section 1
Description
This course surveys the history of photography from its origins in 1839 to present, from Louis-Jacques-Mand Daguerre to Sally Mann and Dawoud Bey. We begin in France with the story of the daguerreotype and follow that narrative as it introduces not only new techniques and technologies but new schools of thought around the way we see and describe our world.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HARC E-208
Matisse and America
Mary Crawford-Volk PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17174 | Section 1
Description
French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954) has long been recognized as one of the most significant avant-garde painters of the twentieth century. What is much less well understood are his extensive connections with American patrons, collectors, museums, and artists. Unlike his great contemporary Pablo Picasso, Matisse visited this country several times, lending his celebrity to exhibitions and publications and expressing admiration for various aspects of American life. His work also attracted much attention from American critics beginning with the 1913 Armory Show, and this intensified from the 1930s onward. He also inspired attention from important artists here early and late, from Max Weber (d. 1961) to Richard Diebenkorn (d. 1993) and Roy Lichtenstein (d. 1997). In effect, Matisse’s relationship with America was one of reciprocity, in which Americans figured decisively in within the development of his career, and his art in turn influenced the history of modernism in the United States. This course focuses on these areas of Matisse’s achievement, examining their role in his personal development as well as the richness they brought to our own cultural history.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with nineteenth and twentieth-century European painting through prior courses is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
HIST E-1026
The Rise and Fall of Postwar Japan
Andrew Gordon PhD, Lee and Juliet Folger Fund Professor of History, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17154 | Section 1
Description
In this course we examine the history of Japan from the end of World War II to the present. It is tempting to frame this history as one of rise and fall. From the literally devastated landscape of August 1945 cities destroyed by firebombs and atomic bombs, a countryside deforested by wartime demand for resources the nation has been likened to the mythical phoenix rising from the ashes. Japan became a global economic power by the 1970s, for several decades boasting the world’s second largest economy. It came to boast a large and optimistic middle class, and a self-understanding as an unusually successful society. Then, from the 1990s, the stock market crashed, the economy stagnated, the population began to decline, social inequality increased, and a self-understanding of loss set in, encapsulated by the catchphrase lost decades. The natural catastrophe of one of history’s largest earthquakes then brought on social and environmental disaster whose consequences are still unfolding. The years of economic growth and growing national power came at high cost for many people and the natural environment. The years of apparent stagnation possibly offer global lessons for realizing a sustainable future. Across the entire postwar era, explaining and taking responsibility for the previous embrace of empire and war proved divisive in Japan, and increasingly set the Japanese government against other nations. In this course we seek to understand the value and the limits of the narratives of rise and fall. We focus on two sorts of diversity: the wide range of experience and understandings held by historical actors themselves and the varied opinions of historians seeking to make sense of the past. We give attention to differences of city and country, and of gender and social class within Japan, and to divergent understandings of Japan’s modern past both inside Japan, and between people in Japan and in other nations.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Science course History 1026. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
HIST E-1055
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Authoritarianism in the US and the World
Donald Ostrowski PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17176 | Section 1
Description
By 1992, both right- and left-wing authoritarianism had fallen into such disrepute that the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama posited the arrival of “the end of history” and “the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government.” Since then, authoritarianism has rebounded in ways that are very similar to, yet in other ways different from, its rise in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This course examines the origins of the rise of radical right and radical left political movements and ideologies before World War II and the cold war, the reasons for their demise in the mid- and late-twentieth centuries, and the resurgence of authoritarianism worldwide in the twenty-first century.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
HIST E-1425
Jane Austen’s World in History, Literature, and Film
Maura A. Henry PhD, Professor of History, Holyoke Community College and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17169 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the cultural attitudes, institutions, and social practices of England during the period 1750 1850 through the lens of Jane Austen. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we address topics such as social rank, gender, landed society, and culture, as well as the ways in which the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries view the past.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
HIST E-1426
Exploring Gender and Power in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre via History, Literature, and Film
Maura A. Henry PhD, Professor of History, Holyoke Community College and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26622 | Section 1
Description
Charlotte Bronte’s fictional heroine Jane Eyre famously declared: “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.” To what extent, though, was this more a fantasy rather than a lived reality for women in nineteenth-century England? We explore gender and power through an interdisciplinary approach to the novel, pertinent historical sources, and a few modern film adaptations.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, March 29, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, March 30, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: March 14, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HIST E-1436
Britain and the Beatles: 1960s British Culture and Society through History, Music, and Film
Maura A. Henry PhD, Professor of History, Holyoke Community College and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26806 | Section 1
Description
The course examines clashes over change versus the status quo in 1960s Britain through the lens of the Beatles. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, students analyze historical primary sources including music by the Beatles and other significant musicians, iconic films and television shows from the period, and other cultural products (including fashion, art, and architecture and urban planning). Through this array of contemporary evidence as well as relevant scholarship, students consider debates centered on youth culture; gender and sexuality; social class, race, and ethnicity; peace and anti-war activism; and maintenance or reform of key social institutions.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
HIST E-1437
Whodunnit? Gender and Class in Agatha Christie’s England through History, Literature, and Film
Maura A. Henry PhD, Professor of History, Holyoke Community College and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17170 | Section 1
Description
Agatha Christie’s novels are not only terrific murder mysteries (and the best selling and most translated works of all time), they are also windows into early twentieth-century English society, notably the interplay of gender, social class, and nostalgic English village life. Students read The Body in the Library, first published in 1942 during World War II, yet set in an imaginary time of non-combat. Students analyze curated primary sources and screen selected film and television adaptations not only to solve the mystery alongside famed elder detective Miss Marple, but also to develop insights into the ways individuals and English social institutions experienced, maintained, and/or challenged prevailing norms of gender, age, class, and Englishness during the 1930s and 1940s.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 25, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, October 26, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, October 27, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: October 11, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HIST E-1465
The United States and World Order since 1900
Erez Manela PhD, Francis Lee Higginson Professor of History, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26811 | Section 1
Description
Since the turn of the twentieth century, as the United States became a major economic and military power, Americans have tried to mold and manage international order. In this course, we explore and assess these efforts through the rise of US overseas expansion, two world wars, the Cold War, and into the twenty-first century.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course History 1465. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
HIST E-1588
History of Judaism and Jewish Cultures
Susan Martha Kahn PhD, Associate Director, Julis-Rabinowitz Program on Jewish and Israeli Law, Harvard Law School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17205 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a survey of the main features of the Jewish historical and cultural landscape from ancient times to the present. Students examine the origins, development, and cultural significance of Judaism, as well as the experiences of Jewish communities worldwide. Sources are drawn from the rich scholarly literature on Jewish history, theology, philosophy, mysticism, and social thought. Through the study of key historical events, religious texts, cultural practices, and socio-political movements, students gain a deeper understanding of the diverse and rich tapestry of Jewish history.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
HIST E-1601
Colonial America
Robert J. Allison PhD, Professor of History, Suffolk University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17165 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the colonization of North America, focusing on the relationships between Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans in the creation of North American colonial society. We explore trade relations, religious and economic motives for colonial development, imperial conflicts among European powers, and the development of the African slave trade.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
HIST E-1607
Revolutionary America
Robert J. Allison PhD, Professor of History, Suffolk University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26803 | Section 1
Description
What caused the American Revolution? What were the Revolution’s consequences? Who was responsible? We examine the tumultuous events in British North America from 1760 to 1775, the years of war, and the aftermath of the war in the creation of the United States. We focus on the tremendous political, social, cultural, and economic changes the Revolution sparked, the impact of warfare, and the international repercussions in the birth of the United States.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
HIST E-1607b
Boston in the American Revolution
Robert J. Allison PhD, Professor of History, Suffolk University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26376 | Section 1
Description
Why did the American Revolution begin in Boston? This course takes an in-depth look at the political and social climate in Boston in the 1760s and 1770s, and the events that transformed resistance into revolution: the Stamp Act riots, the Boston Massacre, and the destruction of the tea. The course meets in the classroom for the first session; subsequently, it meets at historical sites including some of Boston’s revolutionary sites, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, February 14, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, February 15, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, February 16, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: January 31, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
HIST E-1636
Introduction to Harvard History
Zachary Bostwick Nowak PhD, Director, The Umbra Institute
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16721 | Section 1
Description
Harvard University’s history is a story of professors, students, courses, and research that has led to world-changing innovations. But it is also a story of student unrest, gender unease, and the exclusion of women and minorities, enslaved people, Native Americans, and working-class people. All of them helped to make Harvard and left traces in its archives, libraries, and museums; its buildings; and even in its soil. Some Harvard stories have been told; others have been forgotten. In this course, we uncover Harvard’s past via exercises including creating an oral history and submitting it to the Harvard University Archives, in order to both learn about Harvard’s history and add to it. This course changes the way students see Harvard and also gives them research and writing skills to aid them in their other courses.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
HIST E-1638
Is the US Civil War Still Being Fought?
John Stauffer PhD, Sumner R. and Marshall S. Kates Professor of English and of African and African American Studies, Harvard University
Cleo Marie Harrington
Robert Gordon Mann MBA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26818 | Section 1
Description
Most of us were taught that the Civil War between the Confederacy and the Union was fought on battlefields chiefly in the American South between the years of 1861-1865. In this narrative, the North won and the South lost. But what if the issues that resulted in such devastating bloodshed were never resolved? What if the war never ended? This course demonstrates the ways in which the United States is still fighting the Civil War, a defining event in US history. In each class, we connect current events to readings and themes in the course, highlighting how and why the war is still being fought. From Nat Turner’s slave rebellion in 1831 to the recent riot (or battle) in Charlottesville and the seditious conspiracy to overthrow the 2020 presidential election results, we trace how and why the South was in certain respects the victor, even though the Confederacy was destroyed and the Constitution amended. We explore the different kinds of war ideological, political, cultural, military, and para-military that placed the unfreedom of blacks as slaves, serfs, and prisoners at the center of larger conflicts over federal versus state and local rule, welfare, globalization, and free trade. We analyze the Civil War in literature, art, politics, photography, prints, film, music, poetry, speeches, and history, while also discovering how these cultural forms worked to shape our memory of the event itself. By the end of the course, students are able to show how and why contemporary US debates are rooted in this defining narrative, and better understand the dilemmas the nation faces today. Students may not take both HIST E-1638 and ENGL E-189 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1133. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 54 students
HIST E-1665
Race and Ethnicity in Twentieth-Century American Thought
Nicholas F. Bloom PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17193 | Section 1
Description
In his 1903 book The Souls of Black Folk, W.E.B. Du Bois famously wrote that “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line.” This course is a survey of the work of intellectuals, artists, and activists in the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries who took this problem seriously and sought to understand its origins, its functions, and how it ought to be addressed. It exposes students to certain foundational ideas, problems, and debates in the study of race and ethnicity in twentieth century America. Readings may include works by C.L.R. James, William Faulkner, Zora Neale Hurston, Hannah Arendt, Leslie Marmon Silko, Gloria Anzaldua, James Baldwin, Cedric Robinson, bell hooks, and Toni Morrison. Most importantly, the course aims to provide students the opportunity to develop their own critical and historical acumen to study those aspects of race and ethnicity that they find most urgent or fascinating.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
HIST E-1671
Encounters: Travel Narratives and the Origins of Race
John Harpham PhD, Lecturer on Social Studies, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17285 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the deep roots of race and racism with reference to the travel narratives that shaped them. The course proceeds in chronological order, with each week devoted to one of the classics of the genre. Our focus in time is the period that came to be known as the Age of Discovery, which lasted from around the middle of the fifteenth century to around the end of the seventeenth century. Our focus in space is the Atlantic world. Particular attention is paid to narratives that describe (or claim to describe) Africa and America and to accounts that were the work of Indigenous American and African authors. Texts include the Travels of Marco Polo, Leo Africanus’s History and Description of Africa, Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, and the Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano. The interests and the contexts that informed the construction and dissemination of these accounts is central objects of inquiry. We examine the extent to which these texts were embedded in histories of enslavement, resistance, and empire, but we also read these texts on their own terms. We work to understand the ideas about the common structure of human life that seem to be embedded in them. We reconstruct their particular conceptions of political life and of the state. And we also consider the complex manner in which travel narratives at once resisted and disrupted and also contributed to the invention of the modern concept of race.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
HIST E-1680
Riots, Strikes, and Conspiracies in American History
Andrew Joseph Pope PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16857 | Section 1
Description
The course examines the history of riots, strikes, and conspiracies in America from the 1600s to the present. This course uses readings and discussions to focus on a series of short-term events that shed light on American politics, culture, and social organization. It emphasizes finding ways to make sense of these complicated, highly traumatic events, and on using them to understand larger processes of change in American history. While race has been an important element to every riot, strike, and conspiracy in American history, most of these events represented overlapping interests of race, gender, class, and even sexuality. As such, we consider events that occurred in a variety of circumstances. The present conditions of poverty, policing, and protest always inform our starting point when we engage the readings. A central thesis of this course is that the present is best understood through a deliberate examination of the past.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, October 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, October 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
HIST E-1682
White Rage: Progress and Backlash in American History
Andrew Joseph Pope PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26379 | Section 1
Description
This course examines how people struggled to achieve the full-promise of freedom throughout American history. The organizing theme of this course is the cycle of progress and retrenchment, of revolutions and counter-revolutions, that has come to define American life. The course begins with enslaved people’s struggles for freedom, and the white planters who created a form of representative government to maintain the institution. From there, we proceed chronologically through American history to the present, exploring changing notions of community, strategies used to gain freedom, and the range of violent responses that groups seeking liberation encountered. Our readings include a play by Suzan Lori-Parks, manifestos by white power advocates, George Schuyler’s novel Black No More, essays by Toni Morrison, political speeches, and oral history interviews with formerly enslaved people and migrant workers, among many other historical and literary sources. While race has been an important element to every debate about political representation in American history, most debates represented overlapping interests of race, gender, class, and even sexuality. As such, we take up each issue throughout the semester.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Saturday, March 15, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, March 16, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
HIST E-1683
Slavery and Historical Memory
Nicholas F. Bloom PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26834 | Section 1
Description
This course considers some of the ways that scholars, artists, and activists have attempted to address key problems in the study of Black life and slavery in the early Americas, especially the early United States. Namely, how can one begin to tell the story and the legacy of a people whose lives have been so severely distorted and erased by primary historical records records which were primarily composed by people invested in maintaining and reproducing Black enslavement? And to what extent should one trust those primary documents in telling the story of even the most powerful people and institutions in these societies? The course is organized around key phenomena and themes in the history of slavery and early Black Atlantic history, including: the transatlantic slave trade; Black self-determination and revolt; slavery and the formations of race, gender, and sexuality in the West; slavery, capitalism, and liberalism; and abolitionism and emancipation. We pay particular attention to how artists, activists, and scholars have informed one another in their approaches to studying these phenomena and how they have challenged, drawn from, and changed traditional scholarly historical methodology. In addition to the political and cultural documents produced out of and contemporaneous to slavery’s historical milieu, sources may include writings from Martin Delaney, Harriet Jacobs, W.E.B. Du Bois, Herman Melville, Toni Morrison, and James McBride, and scholarship from C.L.R. James, Stephanie Smallwood, Vincent Brown, Walter Johnson, and Saidiya Hartman.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
HIST E-1825
Power and Civilization: China
Peter K. Bol PhD, Charles H. Carswell Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
William C. Kirby PhD, T.M. Chang Professor of China Studies, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School, and Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16900 | Section 1
Description
Modern China presents a dual image: a society transforming itself through economic development and infrastructure investment that aspires to global leadership; and the world’s largest and oldest bureaucratic state, with multiple traditions in its cultural, economic, and political life. The modern society and state that is emerging in China bears the indelible imprint of China’s historical experience, of its patterns of philosophy and religion, and of its social and political thought. These themes are discussed in order to understand China in the twenty-first century and as a great world civilization that developed along lines different from those of the Mediterranean. The course introduces online features to make the riches of Harvard’s visual collections and the expertise of its faculty more accessible to Extension School students.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the HarvardX course.
HIST E-1827
The United States and China: Opium War to the Present
Erez Manela PhD, Francis Lee Higginson Professor of History, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26183 | Section 1
Description
This seminar focuses on the history of Sino-American relations and interactions since the Opium War (1840s). It examines these relations through the lens of major events such as the Boxer intervention, the first and second world wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Mao-Nixon rapprochement, and the post-Mao transformations. Central themes include trade, diplomacy, conflict, mutual perceptions, cultural influences, and migration.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
HIST E-1890
World War II through Film and Literature
Donald Ostrowski PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26815 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the study of World War II through the literature and films it inspired. Among the topics discussed are the home fronts of the belligerent powers, the air and naval wars, women in the war zone, war in the Pacific, and persecution in Europe. Among the literary works we read and the films made from them that we view are Phyllis Bottome’s The Mortal Storm, Antti Tuuri’s The Winter War, Iris Chang’s The Rape of Nanking, Agnes Newton Keith’s Three Came Home, W adys aw Szpilman’s The Pianist, and Lothar-G nther Buchheim’s Das Boot. We also analyze some films not based directly on a book, such as Casablanca and Mrs. Miniver, as well as some books that have not yet been made into films such as A Woman of Berlin and Madame Fourcade’s Secret War.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
HIST E-1960
The History of the Cold War
Nikolas Gvosdev DPhil, Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24927 | Section 1
Description
The cold war was the crucible by which the United States was transformed into a global superpower and laid the basis for the national security state. The ideological and geopolitical competition between the United States and the Soviet Union shaped the global and regional makeup of the modern world and its legacies continue to influence global politics in the twenty-first century. This course charts the origins of the cold war; provides an overview of the ideological and geopolitical drivers of the conflict; examines how the cold war was played out in Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and the Third World; assesses its impact as a driver for the development of both conventional and nuclear forces; and charts the mechanisms that developed in Washington and Moscow for managing the cold war. The course concludes with charting how the cold war wound down and the legacies it has left for the twenty-first century. It provides students with an overview and general survey of the key developments of the period from 1945 to 1990. This course is designed especially for national security professionals, although it is open to anyone. This is primarily a political-security history of the cold war with a focus on how this shapes and defines the national security enterprise.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
HIST E-260
Oral Histories
Lilly Havstad PhD, Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17196 | Section 1
Description
Oral histories are sources that offer perspectives, life experiences, and ways of knowing that official written records can overlook or actively seek to erase from the historical record. This course explores the methods, theories, practices, and controversies that have shaped oral history as an academic field while paying close attention to the contributions and critiques from activist oral history practitioners. In weekly readings and discussions, students gain an appreciation for this at times fraught history, while also gaining a foundation in current best practices for doing oral history. Students also have multiple opportunities for putting their oral history training into practice. The first half of the course is focused on student engagement with oral history theory and scholarship alongside existing oral history collections (as primary sources) toward developing an understanding of the field and studying various models for doing oral history. In the second half of the course, students develop and execute an oral history project that involves background research, research design, interviewing (with digital recording), transcription, and presentation of research findings in both oral and written formats. Over the semester, students learn how to incorporate oral histories into their research, with attention to research ethics and an understanding that oral history research cannot be conducted independently of other methods of historical research. Students practice oral history methods, engaging with oral sources to learn ways of interpreting and analyzing oral histories.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HIST E-597
Key Issues and Events in American Social Change Precapstone
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15772 | Section 1
Description
This course inherently espouses an interdisciplinary approach. We consider the multi-century narrative of social reform movements in the United States by emphasizing the materials and methods used in government, history, and religion. Topics include abolition, suffrage, temperance, the New Deal, civil rights, and Great Society initiatives of the 1960s. While together studying the primary sources relevant to the weekly topics, students assemble their own topics and produce an analysis of the literature relevant to their research topic.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, government, history, or religion, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, HIST E-599, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HIST E-597b
Precapstone: Historical Biography
Ariane Liazos PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16603 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches students the research and writing skills they need to write historical biography. It is interdisciplinary, drawing on the research skills of history and political science as well as narrative writing skills. We read and discuss excerpts from biographies as well as articles on the craft of biography. Students develop research and writing skills through short assignments and oral presentations. Students submit an annotated bibliography and proposal for their spring capstone as their final assignment for the course.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, government or history, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, HIST E-599b, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HIST E-599
Key Issues and Events in American Social Change Capstone
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25381 | Section 1
Description
This course continues the work done in HIST E-597. The course shifts to a workshop model, where presentations are given each week by students as they work toward the production of a substantive scholarly article. The article must incorporate all the elements required by academic peer-reviewed journals. Students make presentations on argument, their theory component, scholarly context, and genres of evidence. In this workshop context, students also engage in review of each other’s writing. At the end of course, each student delivers a professional quality article suitable for submission to a scholarly journal in their respective field.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government, history, or religion, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, HIST E-597, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HIST E-599b
Capstone: Historical Biography
Ariane Liazos PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26191 | Section 1
Description
This course builds on the work done in HIST E-597b. Students use the research and writing skills they have developed to produce a sample chapter of a biography, one that could be submitted as part of a book proposal or a biographical article for an academic journal. Students include a bibliography and endnotes with their final submission. This semester predominantly consists of workshops of student writing-in-progress; students are evaluated on the feedback they provide for each other.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, government or history, capstone track. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, HIST E-597b, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-100
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in English and Religion
Collier Brown PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16627 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar focuses on the research, writing, critical and analytical skills necessary to produce a successful graduate-level research project in the humanities. Attention is paid to the development of competency in close-reading and to the strategies of textual analysis. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-100
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in English and Religion
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 12944 | Section 2
Description
This proseminar focuses on the research, writing, critical and analytical skills necessary to produce a successful graduate-level research project in the humanities. Attention is paid to the development of competency in close-reading and to the strategies of textual analysis. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-100
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in English and Religion
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25780 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar focuses on the research, writing, critical and analytical skills necessary to produce a successful graduate-level research project in the humanities. Attention is paid to the development of competency in close-reading and to the strategies of textual analysis. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-100
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in English and Religion
Brian Pietras PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26838 | Section 2
Description
This proseminar focuses on the research, writing, critical and analytical skills necessary to produce a successful graduate-level research project in the humanities. Attention is paid to the development of competency in close-reading and to the strategies of textual analysis. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Anne Elliott MFA, MFA, Workshop Leader, A Public Space
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15449 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Mande Zecca PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17202 | Section 2
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Elisabeth Sharp McKetta PhD, Writer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15538 | Section 3
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, October 28-December 21, 12:30pm-2:45pm
Term Start Date: October 28, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Bryan Delaney MA, Playwright and Screenwriter
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25950 | Section 1
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 9:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Katie Beth Kohn MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25574 | Section 2
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Leah De Forest MFA, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26854 | Section 3
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-101
Proseminar: Elements of the Writer’s Craft
Elisabeth Sharp McKetta PhD, Writer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25074 | Section 4
Description
This is an intensive course in the craft and analysis of prose from a writer’s perspective. The focus of this course is to teach prose writers how to read well. Students explore the potential and possibilities of different approaches to writing, and, by the end of the course, apply their close reading to their own fiction and nonfiction. The goal of this course is to build a deep understanding of key elements of craft through close reading and textual analysis of the work of master prose writers. We analyze the work of these writers, discussing how they employ structure, character, setting, dialogue, point of view, and other aspects of craft. Students write critically and creatively, both in class and out of class, about the works under discussion and about possible applications to their own creative writing. Students examine the conscious choices about craft that published writers make in order to fully realize a piece of writing.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42a is strongly recommended. Students in this course are expected to have a firm command of grammar, syntax, and prose composition, and to have read widely.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-March 15, 12:30pm-2:45pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
HUMA E-103
Sea Monsters Throughout the Ages: Fables, Films, and Facts
Pete Girguis PhD, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16875 | Section 1
Description
There have always been tales of sea monsters. For as long as we humans have ventured into the ocean, our imaginations have conjured images of serpents, krakens, leviathans, and other creatures, all of whom seem bent on the destruction of those who dare set foot into the sea. Humankind’s conviction that sea monsters are real is so powerful that even today rumors abound of sea monsters lurking in the depths. Indeed, every major religion eastern and western features sea monsters. Are these declarations true? Do giants roam the deep sea? Did the explorers of centuries ago see creatures from their small wooden boats that we do not see today? During this course we explore sea monsters through a social, spiritual, literary, and scientific lens. We study the sea monsters that flourish on ancient maps to understand the minds of sixteenth century scholars. We examine the bodies of real sea monsters, and consider the world in which such grotesque creatures might evolve. We read tales of creatures from classic and contemporary literature. Most importantly, we develop a better understanding of how humans perceive the world, and how our consciousness can simultaneously embrace our wildest dreams and cower from our greatest fears. Sea monsters, both real and imagined, tell us much about life in the deep sea, and even more about humankind.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-October 26, 3:00pm-5:15pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 32 students
HUMA E-110
Masterpieces of World Literature
Martin Puchner PhD, Byron and Anita Wien Professor of Drama and of English and Comparative Literature, Harvard University
David Damrosch PhD, Ernest Bernbaum Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26011 | Section 1
Description
This course surveys world literature from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the present, with an emphasis on different cultures and writing traditions. Produced by HarvardX, the course is based not on lectures but on a more vivid dialogue format between instructors Martin Puchner and David Damrosch. The course also includes travel footage from Istanbul and Troy to Jaipur and Weimar and interviews with authors, such as Orhan Pamuk, and other experts.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the HarvardX course.
HUMA E-114
Book to Stage: Adaptations of Literature to Opera
Alexandra Amati PhD, Associate of the Department of Music, Harvard University
Sue Weaver Schopf PhD, Distinguished Service Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26795 | Section 1
Description
The course explores the relationship between two worlds that of opera and that of literature, both prose and plays. The two have been very tightly connected and there are hundreds of operas that are based on great literature. In the course we also examine some examples of three-way relationships involving another genre film or musical theater. Many opera composers, like Giuseppe Verdi and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for example, have based their work on high literature, including William Shakespeare, Augustin de Beaumarchais, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, and Amy Tan. In the course, we first closely study the literary model (play or story), discuss its features and suitability to being adapted as an opera, including potential obstacles. We then discuss the changes needed for the creation of a viable libretto for an opera and what music supplies that replaces or transcends words. Ultimately, we examine the opera in question and unpack the different impacts, functions, and emotional and dramatic content of the written versus sung works with an eye to the different audiences and societies of each. In the case of play to opera we also compare the theatrical acting, for example of a Shakespearean company, to the movement on an operatic stage. Works examined include Othello (Giraldi Cinzio to Shakespeare to Verdi), The Marriage of Figaro (Beaumarchais to Mozart), The Bonesetter’s Daughter (Tan to Stewart Wallace), and The Ring of the Nibelung/Rheingold (an anonymous twelfth-century author to Richard Wagner).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HUMA E-118
Music, Literature, and the Voice
John T. Hamilton PhD, William R. Kenan Professor of German and Comparative Literature, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26833 | Section 1
Description
Since antiquity, literary works have been drawn to music and the human voice: fascinated by their captivating force, seduced by their alluring charms, envious of their capacity to express the singularity of life and lived experience. Literature has also pointed to the fragile evanescence of music and the voice as a way to assert its own enduring power. How has writing attempted to appropriate musical and vocal effects across different epochs and different cultures? What can these varied attempts tell us about human experience and our ways of representing it?
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Comparative Literature 154. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Thursdays, 12:45-2:45 pm starting January 30 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
HUMA E-160
Buddhism and Japanese Artistic Traditions
Ryuichi Abe PhD, Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26798 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to enable students to analyze a wide range of Japanese artistic creations including the traditional Noh theater, modern Japanese paintings, and contemporary anime by illustrating the influence of Buddhist philosophy both on their forms and in their depths. The first part of the course is a study of major Buddhist theories and their impact on Japanese literature. The second part observes Buddhist ritual practices and their significance for Japanese performing arts. The last part traces the development of Japanese Buddhist art, and considers the influence of Buddhism on diverse contemporary popular Japanese art media.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
HUMA E-211
Mexican Postcards: An Introduction to Mexico’s Histories, Cultures, and Traditions
María Luisa Parra PhD, Senior Preceptor in Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26679 | Section 1
Description
This introductory course allows students to explore and become acquainted with Mexico’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic richness and historical and social complexity. In doing so, students learn about Mexico’s many contributions to the world as a crossroads between continents, oceans, historical times, world events, and global forces. The course includes pre-work, co-construction of knowledge through in-class discussion, a final creative project, and a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where students explore Mexican art of the periods of their choice in the museum’s American wing.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 7, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, March 8, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, March 9, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: February 21, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
HUMA E-220
Frida Kahlo’s Mexico: Women, Arts, and Revolution
María Luisa Parra PhD, Senior Preceptor in Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16936 | Section 1
Description
This course revolves around the short and creative life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, as a window to explore the cultural and political revolution that shaped Mexico’s identity in the twentieth century and continues to influence Mexican’s daily lives. Kahlo lived at a time when Soviet politics and French surrealism merged with national agendas that sought to redefine Mexico’s identity through the integration of their indigenous heritage. The result was a time of booming creativity in the arts, radical expansion of educational and political agendas, as well as a redefinition of women’s identity, sexuality, and the Mexican family. We trace Kahlo’s romantic and artistic relationship with Diego Rivera as we learn about the Mexican muralism and graphic arts traditions along with the beauty of Mexican music and popular culture. We also become familiar with the works of some of Kahlo’s female artist friends, such as Lola lvarez Bravo, Tina Moditti, Aurora Reyes, and Mar a Izquierdo, who gave voice to the voiceless: women, indigenous communities, and the disabled. Finally, we explore topics of Kahlo’s representations in media, the commodification of her persona, and how and why she has become a global icon.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HUMA E-300a
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation I
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Elise Madeleine Ciregna PhD, Director of Administration, Committee on the Study of Religion, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17024 | Section 1
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed either HUMA E-100 or SSCI E-100a (for anthropology students) with a grade of B or higher to enroll in this course. HUMA E-300a and HUMA E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 202
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 202
Sunday, November 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 202
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of HUMA E-300a, PSYC E-300a, and SSCI E-300a may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
HUMA E-300b
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation II
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Elise Madeleine Ciregna PhD, Director of Administration, Committee on the Study of Religion, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26665 | Section 1
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Only students who have successfully completed HUMA E-300a in the fall with a grade of B-minus or higher may take this course. HUMA E-300a and HUMA E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 202
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 202
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 202
Term Start Date: March 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of HUMA E-300b, PSYC E-300b, and SSCI E-300b may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
IORP E-1501
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Adam Smith PhD, Consulting Associate, Leadership Advisory Services, Spencer Stuart
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16845 | Section 1
Description
How would you choose the ideal worker out of 400 applicants? Is it possible to predict employee motivation? Are virtual teams more effective than in-person teams? Questions like these can be answered through the help of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, which is the application of psychological theories and principles to the workplace. Examining decades of research from psychology, sociology, management, and statistics, we discuss a wide range of theories and practices which have had an impact on I/O psychology applications. We also focus on how organizations currently use I/O principles in everyday scenarios and evaluate practical examples of how the field continues to influence talent management. Examined through the scientist-practitioner lens, course material covers both theoretical and real-world applications and addresses the gap between the two. Course topics include job/worker analysis, organizational research methods, employee selection, motivation, attitudes, health and stress, and leadership. Students may not take both IORP E-1501 and PSYC E-1501 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
IORP E-1501
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Adam Smith PhD, Consulting Associate, Leadership Advisory Services, Spencer Stuart
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26452 | Section 1
Description
How would you choose the ideal worker out of 400 applicants? Is it possible to predict employee motivation? Are virtual teams more effective than in-person teams? Questions like these can be answered through the help of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, which is the application of psychological theories and principles to the workplace. Examining decades of research from psychology, sociology, management, and statistics, we discuss a wide range of theories and practices which have had an impact on I/O psychology applications. We also focus on how organizations currently use I/O principles in everyday scenarios and evaluate practical examples of how the field continues to influence talent management. Examined through the scientist-practitioner lens, course material covers both theoretical and real-world applications and addresses the gap between the two. Course topics include job/worker analysis, organizational research methods, employee selection, motivation, attitudes, health and stress, and leadership. Students may not take both IORP E-1501 and PSYC E-1501 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
IORP E-1501
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Carmine P. Gibaldi EdD, Professor of Management and Organizational Psychology, St. John’s University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26885 | Section 2
Description
How would you choose the ideal worker out of 400 applicants? Is it possible to predict employee motivation? Are virtual teams more effective than in-person teams? Questions like these can be answered through the help of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, which is the application of psychological theories and principles to the workplace. Examining decades of research from psychology, sociology, management, and statistics, we discuss a wide range of theories and practices which have had an impact on I/O psychology applications. We also focus on how organizations currently use I/O principles in everyday scenarios and evaluate practical examples of how the field continues to influence talent management. Examined through the scientist-practitioner lens, course material covers both theoretical and real-world applications and addresses the gap between the two. Course topics include job/worker analysis, organizational research methods, employee selection, motivation, attitudes, health and stress, and leadership. Students may not take both IORP E-1501 and PSYC E-1501 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 37 students
IORP E-1502
Psychometric Theory and Assessment
Daniel A. Schroeder DPhil, President and Chief Executive Officer, Organization Development Consultants, Inc.
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17032 | Section 1
Description
This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
IORP E-1502
Psychometric Theory and Assessment
Leanne Tortez PhD, Supervising Research Specialist, Department of Public Social Services, County of Riverside
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17233 | Section 2
Description
This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
IORP E-1502
Psychometric Theory and Assessment
Jenny Weil Malatras PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26453 | Section 1
Description
This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
IORP E-1502
Psychometric Theory and Assessment
Daniel A. Schroeder DPhil, President and Chief Executive Officer, Organization Development Consultants, Inc.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26672 | Section 2
Description
This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
IORP E-1510
Lies, Fears, and Expectations: Mindful Work and Life
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16947 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the application of mindfulness theory (without meditation) as developed by Harvard Professor Ellen Langer and how it can have an impact on our work and health. It has a special emphasis given to her psychology of possibility in applied settings to encourage students to become more mindful and, as a result, less stressed about organizational life and decisions. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. We investigate how an increase in mindfulness can give rise to an increase in well-being and subsequently how we do our work and integrate our play.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent, or an introductory business course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ISMT E-599
Capstone Seminar in Digital Enterprise
Zoya Kinstler PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14790 | Section 1
Description
This interactive, fast-paced capstone course focuses on digital technologies as tools for achieving business goals. A digital enterprise is defined as an organization that uses digital technologies for operating its business processes; interacting with customers, employees, and partners; and making connected, smart products and services. Through readings and case studies, we learn how companies transform their products, processes, and systems by implementing digital technologies such as cloud services, mobile communications, social platforms, data analytics, and internet-of-things. Then we roll up our sleeves and build a capstone project, architecting a digital solution for a realistic business scenario. The course brings together topics learned throughout the students’ graduate coursework and creates a collaborative learning experience via lectures, readings, case studies, independent research, and intensive teamwork. The course addresses topics that cross the domains of software engineering and management information systems. It focuses on information technology practices in business enterprises, blending managerial and technical perspectives in each topic. A special emphasis is placed on current digital technologies and their transformative impact on the enterprise-scale, complex software systems. Topics covered include enterprise architecture, software application, business process, digital platforms and technologies, service management, and technology implementation framework. We approach from three perspectives: business (how to achieve goals with digital technology, define requirements, and gauge results), technical (how to architect an enterprise business application, integrate it with other systems, and migrate from an old setup to a new one), and operational (how to deploy a digital technology solution, manage user experience, and operate a technology service).
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts, information management systems. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be good academic standing and have completed at least nine courses toward the degree, including all the core degree requirements. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Friday, October 18, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 203
Saturday, October 19, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Sunday, October 20, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Required sections Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ISMT E-599
Capstone Seminar in Digital Enterprise
Zoya Kinstler PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24470 | Section 1
Description
This interactive, fast-paced capstone course focuses on digital technologies as tools for achieving business goals. A digital enterprise is defined as an organization that uses digital technologies for operating its business processes; interacting with customers, employees, and partners; and making connected, smart products and services. Through readings and case studies, we learn how companies transform their products, processes, and systems by implementing digital technologies such as cloud services, mobile communications, social platforms, data analytics, and internet-of-things. Then we roll up our sleeves and build a capstone project, architecting a digital solution for a realistic business scenario. The course brings together topics learned throughout the students’ graduate coursework and creates a collaborative learning experience via lectures, readings, case studies, independent research, and intensive teamwork. The course addresses topics that cross the domains of software engineering and management information systems. It focuses on information technology practices in business enterprises, blending managerial and technical perspectives in each topic. A special emphasis is placed on current digital technologies and their transformative impact on the enterprise-scale, complex software systems. Topics covered include enterprise architecture, software application, business process, digital platforms and technologies, service management, and technology implementation framework. We approach from three perspectives: business (how to achieve goals with digital technology, define requirements, and gauge results), technical (how to architect an enterprise business application, integrate it with other systems, and migrate from an old setup to a new one), and operational (how to deploy a digital technology solution, manage user experience, and operate a technology service).
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts, information management systems. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be good academic standing and have completed at least nine courses toward the degree, including all the core degree requirements. Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Friday, February 21, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 103
Saturday, February 22, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 103
Sunday, February 23, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 103
Required sections Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ITAL E-1
Intensive Elementary Italian I
Antonio Di Sanzo PhD, Instructor, Melrose High School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14477 | Section 1
Description
Conducted in Italian, this course is designed for beginners with no knowledge of Italian. The aim of the course is to develop oral expression, listening comprehension, reading, and writing skills. Class time is devoted to paired, group, and cultural activities.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
ITAL E-2
Intensive Elementary Italian II
Antonio Di Sanzo PhD, Instructor, Melrose High School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25529 | Section 1
Description
This course is conducted in Italian. Aural-oral skills and conversational patterns are further developed through in-class paired and group activities and discussion of current events.
Prerequisites: ITAL E-1 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
JAPA E-1
Elementary Japanese I
Ikue Shingu MA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16324 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for people with little or no background in Japanese. It covers Lessons 1-6 of volume one of the textbook Genki, third edition. Students develop basic conversational skills as well as basic reading and writing skills necessary for situations in daily life.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
JAPA E-2
Elementary Japanese II
Ikue Shingu MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25912 | Section 1
Description
This course aims to further develop a basic foundation in modern Japanese, leading to proficiency in the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It covers Lessons 7-12 of volume one of the textbook Genki, third edition.
Prerequisites: JAPA E-1, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
JOUR E-100
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Journalism
June Carolyn Erlick MSJ, Publications Director, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and Editor-in-Chief, ReVista: Harvard Review of Latin America, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15913 | Section 1
Description
This graduate proseminar introduces students to the fundamentals and practices of journalism at the graduate level research, interviewing, reporting, and writing by exposing them to a variety of reporting assignments. Students learn how to construct a lead as well as how to structure a story. They experience the difference between a feature story and a news story by having to write them both.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-100
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Journalism
Matthew Hay Brown MS, Americas Editor, The Washington Post
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26477 | Section 1
Description
This graduate proseminar introduces students to the fundamentals and practices of journalism at the graduate level research, interviewing, reporting, and writing by exposing them to a variety of reporting assignments. Students learn how to construct a lead as well as how to structure a story. They experience the difference between a feature story and a news story by having to write them both.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-110
The Constitution and the Media
Franklin J. Schwarzer JD, Attorney, Schlesinger and Buchbinder, LLP
Elisabeth J. Ryan MPH, JD, Policy Counsel, Everytown for Gun Safety
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 22424 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the concept of freedom of the press the basis for it and the restrictions on it in the United States. We begin by examining the concept of free speech and free press as used in the First Amendment of the US Constitution and trace its historical development to the present. We discuss the ways the Supreme Court has addressed three contentious press issues: the conflict between disclosure and national security (for example, the Pentagon Papers case); the defamation of public figures in news reporting (New York Times Co. v. Sullivan); and reporters’ shield laws and the limits of the journalist’s privilege to keep sources confidential. We also examine the constitutional basis for governmental regulation of broadcast content, and the interplay (or tension) between cyberspace and freedom of the press (for example, the 2011 Wikileaks controversy).
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
JOUR E-135
Commentary and Op-Ed Writing
Matthew Hay Brown MS, Americas Editor, The Washington Post
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16994 | Section 1
Description
The media is awash in opinions. From legacy news organizations to social media to open platforms to podcasts, everyone has access to a megaphone. This course helps students develop the skills they need to be heard above the din. We discuss exemplary editorials, op-ed pieces, reported essays, and criticism and produce our own, focusing on factual reporting, well-supported argument, and powerful, persuasive writing. We meet with practitioners and learn how to pitch our pieces for professional publication.
Prerequisites: An introductory journalism course, some journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-137
Feature Writing
Kim Cross MA, Author
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26490 | Section 1
Description
Feature writing combines the literary craft of fiction with the fact-gathering skills of the journalist, historian, and documentary filmmaker. The best feature stories are both timely and timeless, using a narrative as a vehicle to touch upon something expansive, some universal truth or subtle meaning. Feature stories can take many forms. In this course, we focus on two: a first-person personal narrative (2,000 words) and a third-person reconstructed narrative (3,000 words). A sequence of weekly writing exercises build up to both. Students learn the publishing process from pitch to publication, with emphasis on immersion reporting, interviewing, story structure, editing, and fact-checking. Students also learn organizational techniques essential for stories with many sources and tools that enable them to reconstruct scenes they are not able to witness as a writer. The end goal of this course is to complete and polish two feature stories to submit to a target publication.
Prerequisites: An introductory journalism course, some journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-137
Feature Writing
Denise Hruby BA, Climate Reporter, The Miami Herald
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26943 | Section 2
Description
In this course, students learn to find and research stories that make good features, conceptualize narratives, and plan reporting trips including identifying compelling characters and approaching and interviewing them, whether they are everyday people, politicians, or experts. By workshopping their stories, students learn to structure engaging narratives, distill key information from their research and interviews, and vividly describe scenes and characters in their writing. While readings and classroom discussions focus on innovative and best practice examples, guest lecturers by both feature writers and editors share insights into their work and the process of creating award-winning features. The course also addresses strategies for getting work published, including successfully communicating with editors and crafting a pitch that draws their attention.
Prerequisites: An introductory journalism course, some journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-137a
Feature Writing: First-Person Stories and Essays
Ruth Tam BA, Journalist and Podcast Host
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17229 | Section 1
Description
Personal essays have been a part of journalism and nonfiction literature for generations. But recently, the heightened interest in creators, and the growth in outlets for personal expression, have caused a boom of first-person storytelling. From TikToks and tweet threads to essay collections and podcasts, first-person stories are dominating our cultural conversations. But what does it take to tell your own story well? How can you use the tools of journalism to report on yourself and contribute to the larger conversation? In this course, students learn the elements of successful first-person writing and develop their own style and voice. In analyzing others’ work and writing their own short and long form essays, students learn how to weave reporting with first-person narrative storytelling. Writers we read and discuss include Jennifer Senior, Cathy Park Hong, and Kiese Laymon.
Prerequisites: A writing or journalism course, professional journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-137a
Feature Writing: First-Person Stories and Essays
Ruth Tam BA, Journalist and Podcast Host
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17291 | Section 2
Description
Personal essays have been a part of journalism and nonfiction literature for generations. But recently, the heightened interest in creators, and the growth in outlets for personal expression, have caused a boom of first-person storytelling. From TikToks and tweet threads to essay collections and podcasts, first-person stories are dominating our cultural conversations. But what does it take to tell your own story well? How can you use the tools of journalism to report on yourself and contribute to the larger conversation? In this course, students learn the elements of successful first-person writing and develop their own style and voice. In analyzing others’ work and writing their own short and long form essays, students learn how to weave reporting with first-person narrative storytelling. Writers we read and discuss include Jennifer Senior, Cathy Park Hong, and Kiese Laymon.
Prerequisites: A writing or journalism course, professional journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-140c
Race, Media, and News Writing
Austin Bogues MA, Assistant Washington Editor, USA Today
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26460 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the role race plays in current events and news writing. Students read a variety of opinion and news reporting pieces, and develop multiple original reporting pieces involving issues of race, race relations, and demographics in the United States. The course also brings in guest speakers to discuss reporting on race.
Prerequisites: An introductory journalism course, some journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-155
Magazine Writing
Martha Nichols MA, Founder and Publisher, Talking Writing Magazine
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17218 | Section 1
Description
Magazine writing is the home of good storytelling and in-depth feature writing, even as digital media has blurred the lines between news and magazine sites. In this course, students try out different magazine styles and voices, exploring a range of channels (including health and lifestyle, politics, business, and science), with some multimedia options. We delve into the nuts-and-bolts of pitching and publishing magazine articles as a freelancer as well as the many ethical conundrums that have popped up in recent years. Throughout, we return to the question of what it means to be a trustworthy and engaging magazine writer in the digital age.
Prerequisites: An introductory journalism course, journalism experience, or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-161
Podcasting
Iris Adler MA, Journalist and Podcast Consultant
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17216 | Section 1
Description
There are more than two million podcasts currently available, and the number of podcasts and the audience for them grow by the day. It has become essential for journalists to gain the skills required for creating compelling audio stories. In this course, students choose a topic they would like to explore in a podcast of their own and they develop the skills necessary to produce it: reporting, audio storytelling, scripting, interviewing, and basic audio production.
Prerequisites: Basic journalism course or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, Sunday, November 2-3, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-161
Podcasting
Iris Adler MA, Journalist and Podcast Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26489 | Section 1
Description
There are more than two million podcasts currently available, and the number of podcasts and the audience for them grow by the day. It has become essential for journalists to gain the skills required for creating compelling audio stories. In this course, students choose a topic they would like to explore in a podcast of their own and they develop the skills necessary to produce it: reporting, audio storytelling, scripting, interviewing, and basic audio production.
Prerequisites: Basic journalism course or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Saturday, Sunday, March 29-30, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-173
Video Storytelling for Social Media
Marisa N. Palmer MA, Graduate Research Assistant, Crime and Justice Policy Lab, University of Pennsylvania
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16973 | Section 1
Description
What type of content makes the internet tick? 27,000 new users join the internet every hour and digital journalists need to capture their attention by identifying compelling topics and reporting on them from every angle. In addition, real news requires real coverage. Video documentaries provide a multi-sensory insight into the news happening right now. In this light, students select a topic of personal interest (such as social justice, the arts, food, or community), interview a diverse array of experts on that topic, and use basic, accessible camera equipment and professional editing software to produce a final project of a short documentary. Along the way, students develop a fundamental understanding of social video metrics, looking behind the curtain of high-performing videos published on well known platforms. Guest lecturers include producers behind some of the internet’s most eye-catching stories and members of social distribution teams who know how to make videos go viral. By the end of this course, students have a completed video documentary to add to their portfolio.
Prerequisites: Basic journalism course or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-175
Photojournalism
Sam Appleton BA, Freelance Photojournalist
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16673 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to photojournalism for students and professionals. Through weekly photo assignments and critiques, students learn to look critically at images, make photographs that are both creative and rich in content, and produce a body of work through the editing and sequencing of images. The course touches on the historic role of photography through the essential work of photographers like Dorothea Lange, Yoichi Okamoto, and James Nachtwey, but focuses on the process of creating a lasting photograph. By the end of the course, students have a portfolio of images and basic strategies for working in the industry.
Prerequisites: A basic understanding of photography. This course spends only a small amount of time on technical issues.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-179
Covering Washington
Matthew Hay Brown MS, Americas Editor, The Washington Post
Jessica Gresko MA, News Manager, The Associated Press
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26574 | Section 1
Description
Decisions made in Washington affect every American and the journalism produced in the nation’s capital is some of the most important and impactful work we do. In this course, students conceive, develop, report, and write the investigative story of their choice under the guidance of two veteran Washington journalists and teachers. We study exemplary coverage of Congress, the White House, the Supreme Court, federal agencies, lobbying, campaign finance, and politics. Students pitch their story ideas for peer feedback. We meet for a weekend in the capital to visit with newsmakers, professionals, and journalists, and report our stories on the ground.
Prerequisites: A basic journalism course or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Saturday, April 5, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-5:00pm
Monday, April 7, 9:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency (Saturday-Monday) in Washington, DC. Please see syllabus for details about the weekend meeting locations and schedule. Students must be present for the entire weekend session in Washington, DC to earn credit for the course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the weekend session. International Students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-186
Reviewing the Performing Arts
Sarah L. Kaufman MSJ, Author and Arts and Culture Critic
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26429 | Section 1
Description
This workshop course offers practical guidance for journalists who wish to write about the performing arts, including film, drama, music, and dance. We read and analyze works by such critics and essayists as Manohla Dargis, Justin Chang, Wesley Morris, Amanda Petrusich, Naveen Kumar, Vinson Cunningham and Maya Phillips. Students write film, theater, music, and other reviews and critical essays, while learning to develop their skills in perception, analytical thinking, organization, and persuasiveness. We hear from guest writers, watch recorded and live performances, and investigate criticism’s ability to build new knowledge of the arts, drawing from work published in a variety of media, both legacy and new. Students learn to develop their own distinctive voices while tapping into their critical faculties to analyze the arts in fresh and convincing ways. Although this is a course for journalists, it is useful for students with an interest in performance or in dramatic writing because it provides a new understanding of the view from the other side of the stage and screen.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
JOUR E-599
Journalism Capstone Project
June Carolyn Erlick MSJ, Publications Director, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and Editor-in-Chief, ReVista: Harvard Review of Latin America, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13272 | Section 1
Description
The capstone is the culmination of the student’s work in the Master of Liberal Arts, journalism program and consists of a series of substantial stories completed in one semester. The capstone generally consists of three to five related pieces, text or multi-media based, in different styles. Text-based projects are generally about 5,000 words; the parameters of projects in other media are determined by the student and the project director together, and are based on the requirements of the story. Past capstone directors have included Boston Globe editors and reporters, former fellows from the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, and other professionals in the field.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, journalism. Prospective degree candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing with a minimum of 36 degree-applicable credits completed with required grades. In addition, candidates must submit capstone proposals by June 1. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements or do not have their capstone proposals approved by the deadline are dropped from the course. See the capstone website for proposal details and approval deadlines.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
JOUR E-599
Journalism Capstone Project
June Carolyn Erlick MSJ, Publications Director, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and Editor-in-Chief, ReVista: Harvard Review of Latin America, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23092 | Section 1
Description
The capstone is the culmination of the student’s work in the Master of Liberal Arts, journalism program and consists of a series of substantial stories completed in one semester. The capstone generally consists of three to five related pieces, text or multi-media based, in different styles. Text-based projects are generally about 5,000 words; the parameters of projects in other media are determined by the student and the project director together, and are based on the requirements of the story. Past capstone directors have included Boston Globe editors and reporters, former fellows from the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, and other professionals in the field.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, journalism. Prospective degree candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing with a minimum of 36 degree-applicable credits completed with required grades. In addition, candidates must submit capstone proposals by October 1. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements or do not have their capstone proposals approved by the deadline are dropped from the course. See the journalism capstone project crafting the capstone proposal form for proposal details and approval deadlines.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
LATI E-1a
Beginning Latin I
Ivy Livingston PhD, Senior Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14239 | Section 1
Description
This course is a first step in reading Latin, which was the language not only of ancient Rome, but also of science, culture, and more in Europe until the early modern era and is still in use today. The course focuses on classical Latin (as it would have been written, for example, by Julius Caesar), but engages with a variety of texts including inscriptions and graffiti. Ancient texts are supplemented with modern ones to help develop not only fluency in reading continuous narratives but also the cultural knowledge that is necessary to understand Latin literature.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
LATI E-1b
Beginning Latin II
Ivy Livingston PhD, Senior Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25493 | Section 1
Description
This course continues to develop reading ability in Latin, building on the skills learned in LATI E-1a. Readings include inscriptions and short texts mainly from the classical period (such as the poetry of Martial), as well as longer mythological stories written for learners.
Prerequisites: LATI E-1a or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
LATI E-2a
Intermediate Latin I
Ivy Livingston PhD, Senior Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16590 | Section 1
Description
This course follows LATI E-1a and LATI E-1b. Students progress from the straightforward narratives and short inscriptions of the introductory courses to more complex authentic and adapted texts. Readings are from the classical period to the middle ages and from various genres, including lyric poetry and history. After this course, students have experience with most of the standard forms and syntax of Latin and should be prepared for further literature courses or independent study.
Prerequisites: LATI E-1a and LATI E-1b or equivalent background; please consult with the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
LATI E-2b
Intermediate Latin II
Ivy Livingston PhD, Senior Preceptor in Classics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26172 | Section 1
Description
In this course, students transition to reading more extensive passages of unadapted literature, beginning with a passage from the Vulgate (the fourth-century Latin translation of the Bible). The main texts are a mythological story of transformation from Ovid’s epic poem, Metamorphoses and part of Julius Caesar’s account of his invasion of Britain. This course is intended for students who have begun (or are beginning) to read classical Latin texts that include all the standard grammatical structures of the language.
Prerequisites: LATI E-2a or equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
LING E-122
Introduction to Indo-European Linguistics
Zachary Rothstein-Dowden PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17237 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the historical linguistic study of the Indo-European languages and to the comparative method of language reconstruction. The course focuses on the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European and the changes that have taken places in the major branches that gave rise to the Indo-European daughter languages.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
LSTU E-124
The History of Law in Europe
Tamar Herzog PhD, Monroe Gutman Professor of Latin American History, Harvard University and Affiliated Faculty Member, Harvard Law School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17212 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the history of law in Europe (including both England and the continent, as well as Europe’s overseas domains) from the fall of the Roman Empire (fifth century) to the present day. Organized chronologically, it engages with the sources of law, the organization of legal systems, and the relations between law and society. We discuss primary historical sources that highlight the particularities of distinct moments in that long trajectory, as well as cover some of the main dilemmas facing European law today.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course History 1921. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays, 9:45-11:45 am starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
LSTU E-130
Introduction to American Law
Havva Guney-Ruebenacker SJD, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17249 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a general introduction to the law and legal system of the United States, including its history and institutions. Topics include historical background and development of US law, sources of law, the interaction of state and federal law, the structure of the US court system, basic principles and doctrines of common law, the adversary process, and trial by jury. The course also surveys substantive law in a range of selected subject areas and issues, such as Constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, family law, separation of powers, freedom of speech, due process, equal protection, and law and religion. Students are also introduced to some of the most important cases in US legal history.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
LSTU E-131
Start-Ups from the Perspective of Business and IP Law
Tiffany Nichols PhD, JD, Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of History, Princeton University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16950 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the intersection between start-ups, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property (IP) law. Students gain skills with navigation of major tenets of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets as these concepts relate to start-ups and entrepreneurship. Students also gain experience in presenting shark tank and more formal pitches that incorporate references to the IP holdings of start-ups or small businesses. Further, students receive an introduction to the basics of contract instruments which allow for sharing of IP with entities outside of a start-up while protecting the IP of the start-up. Lastly, students are exposed to the IP litigation landscape that start-ups face using actual litigation matters. For example, students are provided with an overview of discovery and gain deposition skills through a hands-on approach. Upon completing the course, students are able to perform basic legal research, understand basic case law, and interpret basic legal documents, such as patent applications and simple confidentiality agreements, which are relevant to start-ups during their funding and growth periods.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
LSTU E-135
Comparative Law
Havva Guney-Ruebenacker SJD, Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26890 | Section 1
Description
This course is a general introduction to the theory and practice of comparative law, with a broad overview of the major legal systems in the world. Based on a comparative study of different legal institutions and traditions in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the course explores topics such as debates around similarities and differences between civil law and common law, between continental Europe and Anglo-American legal systems, different comparative legal methodologies, and the points of convergence and divergence of different legal systems. Our comparative analysis also includes several examples of global case studies of comparative law in practice, such as legal reception and globalization of law and legal thought, and legal reforms in the areas of law and development, economic reforms, constitutional reforms, democratization, rule of law, human rights, equality, family law reforms, and church-state relationship.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MATH E-10
Precalculus
David Arias EdD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 12572 | Section 1
Description
An intensive course for students with superior algebra skills who want to enroll in MATH E-15 the following term. During the semester, linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial, and rational functions are discussed. Requires the use of a graphing calculator. Students enrolling for graduate credit participate in weekly pedagogical seminars designed for current and future K-12 teachers.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory placement test score.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-10
Precalculus
David Arias EdD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 22379 | Section 1
Description
An intensive course for students with superior algebra skills who want to enroll in MATH E-15 the following term. During the semester, linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial, and rational functions are discussed. Requires the use of a graphing calculator. Students enrolling for graduate credit participate in weekly pedagogical seminars designed for current and future K-12 teachers.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory placement test score.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-115
Introduction to Complex Analysis
David Arias EdD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26355 | Section 1
Description
Complex analysis is the study of functions of a complex variable. A complex variable (z) can take on the value of a complex number (x + iy), where i is the unit imaginary number and x and y represent real numbers. Differentiation and integration of complex functions involve procedures used to differentiate and integrate functions of real numbers. Thus, if you enjoyed calculus of real variables, you would enjoy complex analysis. During the semester, we discuss limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration involving exponential, logarithmic, power, trigonometric, hyperbolic, inverse trigonometric, and inverse hyperbolic complex functions. Cauchy-Riemann equations, analytic functions, harmonic functions, Cauchy-Goursat theorem, Taylor series, Laurent series, and Cauchy’s residue theorem are also discussed.
Prerequisites: Math E-21a or equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-15
Calculus 1
Eric C. Towne AB, Curriculum Advisor, Advanced Placement Calculus, The College Board
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 10436 | Section 1
Description
This is a complete course in first-semester calculus. Topics include the meaning, use, and interpretation of the derivative; techniques of differentiation; applications to curve sketching and optimization in a variety of disciplines; the definite integral and some applications; and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Students enrolling for graduate credit participate in weekly pedagogical seminars designed for current and future K-12 teachers.
Prerequisites: MATH E-10, or the equivalent, or satisfactory placement test score. The graduate-credit option is available only to students participating in the Extension School’s mathematics for teaching program.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Optional sections for all students Mondays, 7-8 pm; required weekly seminars for graduate-credit students to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-15
Calculus 1
Eric C. Towne AB, Curriculum Advisor, Advanced Placement Calculus, The College Board
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 20399 | Section 1
Description
This is a complete course in first-semester calculus. Topics include the meaning, use, and interpretation of the derivative; techniques of differentiation; applications to curve sketching and optimization in a variety of disciplines; the definite integral and some applications; and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Students enrolling for graduate credit participate in weekly pedagogical seminars designed for current and future K-12 teachers.
Prerequisites: MATH E-10, or the equivalent, or satisfactory placement test score. The graduate-credit option is available only to students participating in the Extension School’s mathematics for teaching program.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections for all students Thursdays, 7-8 pm; required weekly seminars for graduate-credit students to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
MATH E-156
Mathematical Statistics
Dmitry V. Kurochkin PhD, Senior Research Analyst, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Office for Faculty Affairs, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16470 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to mathematical statistics and data analysis. It starts by introducing central concepts of probability theory (events, probability measure, random variables, distributions, joint distributions, and conditional distributions) and then moves on to the development of mathematical foundations of statistical inference. Topics covered in the course include random variables, expectations, parameter estimation (method of moments, method of maximum likelihood, and Bayesian approach), properties of point estimators (bias, variance, consistency, and efficiency), confidence intervals, hypotheses testing, likelihood ratio test, data summary methods, and introduction to linear regression. A class of distributions, including chi-squared, t, and F distributions, the distributions derived from normal that occur in many applications of hypothesis testing and statistical inference, is introduced.
Prerequisites: MATH E-15 or equivalent. No prior knowledge of probability is assumed. Students are required to take a short pretest at the beginning of the course. The pretest score does not count toward the final grade but helps students understand whether their background in calculus positions them for success in this course.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, September 4-December 18, 8:00pm-10:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-16
Calculus 2 with Series and Differential Equations
Srdjan Divac MA, Lecturer on Mathematics and Statistics, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 10437 | Section 1
Description
This course covers integration, differential equations, and Taylor series with applications. It covers most of the topics in a second-semester calculus course with the emphasis on applications as well as graphical and numerical work. The use of a graphing calculator with the capability of computing (approximating) definite integrals is required. Students enrolling for graduate credit participate in weekly pedagogical seminars designed for current and future K-12 teachers.
Prerequisites: MATH E-15, or the equivalent in other words, an excellent working knowledge of first-semester calculus, including the trigonometric and logarithmic functions, or satisfactory placement test score.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, September 4-December 18, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections Mondays, 6-7:30 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-16
Calculus 2 with Series and Differential Equations
Srdjan Divac MA, Lecturer on Mathematics and Statistics, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 20395 | Section 1
Description
This course covers integration, differential equations, and Taylor series with applications. It covers most of the topics in a second-semester calculus course with the emphasis on applications as well as graphical and numerical work. The use of a graphing calculator with the capability of computing (approximating) definite integrals is required. Students enrolling for graduate credit participate in weekly pedagogical seminars designed for current and future K-12 teachers.
Prerequisites: MATH E-15, or the equivalent in other words, an excellent working knowledge of first-semester calculus, including the trigonometric and logarithmic functions, or satisfactory placement test score.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections Mondays, 6-7:30 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-216
Real Analysis, Convexity, and Optimization
Paul G. Bamberg DPhil, Senior Lecturer on Mathematics, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26888 | Section 1
Description
This course develops the theory of convex sets, normed infinite-dimensional vector spaces, and convex functionals and applies it as a unifying principle to a variety of optimization problems such as resource allocation, production planning, and optimal control. Topics include Hilbert space, dual spaces, the Hahn-Banach theorem, the Riesz representation theorem, calculus of variations, and Fenchel duality. Students are expected to understand and invent proofs of theorems in real and functional analysis.
Prerequisites: MATH E-21a and MATH E-21b, MATH E-23a, or the equivalent, plus at least one other more advanced course in mathematics. Students need to know linear algebra and multivariable calculus and be comfortable with proofs.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the 2015 Faculty of Arts and Sciences course Mathematics 116.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 65 students
MATH E-21a
Multivariable Calculus
Robert Winters PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 11648 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the following topics: calculus of functions of several variables; vectors and vector-valued functions; parameterized curves and surfaces; vector fields; partial derivatives and gradients; optimization; method of Lagrange multipliers; integration over regions in R2 and R3; integration over curves and surfaces; Green’s theorem, Stokes’s theorem, Divergence theorem.
Prerequisites: MATH E-16, or the equivalent; placement test is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:00pm-10:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-21b
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
Robert Winters PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 21474 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the following topics: solving systems of linear equations; matrices and linear transformations; image and kernel of a linear transformation; matrices and coordinates relative to different bases; determinants; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; discrete and continuous dynamical systems; least-squares approximation; applications, differential equations, and function spaces.
Prerequisites: MATH E-16 or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor; some familiarity with vectors; general familiarity with matrix-capable calculators or mathematical software; the placement test is recommended but not required.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:00pm-10:00pm, Harvard Hall 101
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-21c
Ordinary Differential Equations
Robert Winters PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16432 | Section 1
Description
This course covers ordinary differential equations (ODEs); continuous models; analytic, graphical, and numerical solutions; input-response formulation of linear ODEs; systems of first-order ODEs and matrix exponentials; and nonlinear systems and phase-plane analysis.
Prerequisites: One variable calculus; some familiarity with multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and complex numbers.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-23a
Linear Algebra and Real Analysis I
Kris Lokere ALM
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17219 | Section 1
Description
This is the first half of an integrated treatment of linear algebra, real analysis, and multivariable calculus. By combining these disciplines into one course, we show important relations between each, which allows us to use results from one topic to gain deeper understanding of other topics. We cover matrices, eigenvectors, dot and cross products, limits, continuity, and differentiability, all in multiple dimensions, with an introduction to manifolds. This course covers both mathematical proofs as well as applications. Students learn to write more than twenty important proofs and see how proof-based mathematics prepares them for applications in engineering, economics, data science, and artificial intelligence.
Prerequisites: A grade of A in MATH E-16 or the equivalent. Some experience with multivariable calculus and linear algebra is not necessary but preferred.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
MATH E-3
Quantitative Reasoning: Practical Math
Graeme D. Bird PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 12500 | Section 1
Description
This course reviews basic arithmetical procedures and their use in everyday mathematics. It also includes an introduction to basic statistics covering such topics as the interpretation of numerical data, graph reading, hypothesis testing, and simple linear regression. No previous knowledge of these tools is assumed. Microsoft Excel is introduced and some practical uses of it are demonstrated. Recommendations for calculators are made during the first class.
Prerequisites: A willingness to (re)discover math, appreciate its practical uses, and enjoy its patterns and beauty.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, September 4-December 18, 8:00pm-10:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-3
Quantitative Reasoning: Practical Math
Graeme D. Bird PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 20389 | Section 1
Description
This course reviews basic arithmetical procedures and their use in everyday mathematics. It also includes an introduction to basic statistics covering such topics as the interpretation of numerical data, graph reading, hypothesis testing, and simple linear regression. No previous knowledge of these tools is assumed. Microsoft Excel is introduced and some practical uses of it are demonstrated. Recommendations for calculators are made during the first class.
Prerequisites: A willingness to (re)discover math, appreciate its practical uses, and enjoy its patterns and beauty.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:00pm-10:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,000.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-300
Mathematical Foundations for Teaching Secondary School Math
Andrew Engelward PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13787 | Section 1
Description
Why do students have such a difficult time with basic math concepts such as working with fractions and negative numbers? It could be because arithmetic is significantly more complex than we initially suspect. For instance, the symbol ½ has at least four different interpretations, and students need to be able to quickly figure out which interpretation will be of most use for solving a particular problem. This course was created for middle and high school mathematics teachers to give them a chance to explore the inner workings of fundamental mathematical concepts involved in arithmetic as well as the basis for working with a variety of number systems. The course deconstructs basic math concepts that many people often take for granted, but yet which can continue to give students difficulties throughout their school years. The course emphasizes mathematical reasoning rather than memorizing facts and formulas. In addition to the mathematical content, we also discuss how different methods of teaching affect students differently and we explore a variety of activities and games that teachers can bring to their own classrooms to enhance their students’ understanding and enjoyment of mathematics.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with K-12 mathematics.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-300
Mathematical Foundations for Teaching Secondary School Math
Carolyn Gardner-Thomas PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26897 | Section 1
Description
Why do students have such a difficult time with basic math concepts such as working with fractions and negative numbers? It could be because arithmetic is significantly more complex than we initially suspect. For instance, the symbol ½ has at least four different interpretations, and students need to be able to quickly figure out which interpretation will be of most use for solving a particular problem. This course was created for middle and high school mathematics teachers to give them a chance to explore the inner workings of fundamental mathematical concepts involved in arithmetic as well as the basis for working with a variety of number systems. The course deconstructs basic math concepts that many people often take for granted, but yet which can continue to give students difficulties throughout their school years. The course emphasizes mathematical reasoning rather than memorizing facts and formulas. In addition to the mathematical content, we also discuss how different methods of teaching affect students differently and we explore a variety of activities and games that teachers can bring to their own classrooms to enhance their students’ understanding and enjoyment of mathematics.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with K-12 mathematics.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-301
Elementary Number Theory
David Arias EdD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16762 | Section 1
Description
Number theory can be used to find the greatest common divisor, determine whether a number is prime, and solve Diophantine equations. With the improvement of computer technology, number theory also helps us to protect private information by encrypting it as it travels through the internet. During the course, we discuss mathematical induction, division and Euclidean algorithms, the Diophantine equation ax + by = c, the fundamental theorem of arithmetic, prime numbers and their distribution, the Goldbach conjecture, congruences, the Chinese remainder theorem, Fermat’s theorem, Wilson’s theorem, Euler’s theorem, and cryptography. Additional topics may include number-theoretic functions, primitive roots, and the quadratic reciprocity law.
Prerequisites: MATH E-8 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-302
Math for Teaching Geometry
Andrew Engelward PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26880 | Section 1
Description
Geometry is about symmetry, shape, and space. This course emphasizes mathematical reasoning and the role of mathematical discourse in geometry classrooms. Our explorations begin with the classic work on geometry, Euclid’s The Elements. We study straightedge and compass constructions; investigate golden rectangles, constructible numbers, and geometry in higher dimensions; and work to more modern topics such as tessellations and Pick’s Theorem.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of number systems, algebra, and other standard precalculus mathematics. Experience teaching geometry would be useful, but not essential.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-345
Math Teacher Leadership
Carolyn Gardner-Thomas PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16409 | Section 1
Description
This course supports math teacher leadership knowledge and skill development through investigations of practice, reflections, design, and implementation of programs oriented to address dynamic contextual school situations. Using research-based frameworks for teacher leadership development, we explore strategies to drive school improvement efforts in mathematics teaching, learning, and school culture. Students engage with collaborative and system-based approaches for timely, relevant, data-informed, and sustainable mathematics education improvement. The course is designed for math teachers and administrators interested in formal and informal coaching and mentoring of math teachers, the design and facilitation of professional development experiences for math teachers, and transformational leadership in mathematics education.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of number systems, algebra, and other standard precalculus mathematics. A minimum of three years of teaching mathematics is assumed.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MATH E-599
Teaching Projects: Math for Teaching Capstone
Carolyn Gardner-Thomas PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16408 | Section 1
Description
This course is intended to give current and aspiring secondary math teachers an opportunity to become engaged in a variety of teaching-related projects. In the first part of the course, participants research a current topic in mathematics education through the use of journal articles, presenting their findings to the math for teaching community. In the second part, students design and present teaching activities using learning technologies that support students’ mathematical thinking. In addition, students contribute blog entries to a math for teaching blog.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted degree candidates for the Master of Liberal Arts, mathematics for teaching, capstone track. Prospective degree candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February, with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MATH E-6
Mathematics and the Greeks
Graeme D. Bird PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23689 | Section 1
Description
In this course we seek to understand how the ancient Greeks thought about mathematics by focusing on three activities: finding solutions and proofs for simple numerical problems, drawing geometrical constructions using compasses and straightedge, and reading brief historical abstracts by and about early Greek mathematicians. Students also learn the Greek alphabet to enable them to read a few common mathematical terms. Graduate-credit students either write a research paper on some aspect of Greek mathematics or prepare a series of lesson plans showing how a section of the course material could be taught in high schools.
Prerequisites: High school algebra, MATH E-8, or a grade of B-plus or higher in MATH E-3.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:00pm-10:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MATH E-8
College Algebra
David Abbruzzese, Jr. BSEE
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 20393 | Section 1
Description
This course reviews arithmetic and covers algebraic expressions and equations; their manipulation and use in problem solving; word problems; and an introduction to inequalities, absolute values, and graphing. This course features some of the same topics as MATH E-10, but at a slower pace and more introductory level. In addition, it does not cover trigonometry and sinusoidal functions, which are discussed in depth in MATH E-10.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory placement test score.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections Thursdays, time to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-10
HBS CORe: Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15074 | Section 1
Description
The Credential of Readiness (CORe program) is a primer on the fundamentals of business offered through Harvard Business School Online. Developed and taught by Harvard Business School faculty, this course covers business analytics, economics for managers, and financial accounting the essentials to contribute to business discussions and decision making. The business analytics portion is taught by Janice Hammond and introduces quantitative methods used to analyze data and make better management decisions. The economics for managers portion is taught by Bharat Anand and applies fundamental economic principles to business decisions, covering customer demand, supplier cost, pricing, markets, and differentiation. The financial accounting portion is taught by V.G. Narayanan and teaches key accounting concepts and principles to illuminate financial statements and unlock critical insights into business performance and potential. All learning materials and instructor and participant interaction take place within the online HBS Online learning environment. Although the professors do not have direct real-time interaction with students, they have developed short video lectures, cases, exercises, and other interactive learning elements to create a highly engaging educational experience. Participants typically learn as much (if not more) from thoughtful participation and from peers in this active learning ecosystem as they do from faculty content. For more information see HBS Online’s CORe webpage. Students who have previously enrolled in HBS Online’s Financial Accounting, MGMT E-10 (or MGMT S-10), HBS Online’s CORe, or the HBS Online section of MGMT E-1000 (or MGMT S-1000), and were still enrolled after the 100% refund deadline are not eligible to enroll in MGMT E-10.
Prerequisites: To register for this course, students must apply to and be admitted by HBS Online for the September cohort. Apply now. If accepted, registration transactions must all be done on the HBS Online website. For more information, visit the HBS Online support portal. After registering with HBS Online, students receiving financial aid or any other type of financial assistance (for example, consortium agreements) should contact the Extension School Student Financial Services office at studentfinance@extension.harvard.edu.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 04, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $4,200.
Credits: 8
Notes:
This course is graded pass/fail with grades of high honors, honors, pass, or fail. Extension of time (EXT) grades are not available. Harvard University’s Tuition Assistance Plan (TAP) cannot be used. Certain other tuition discounts and scholarships are also excluded. Admission, registration, refund, make-up exam, and grading policies are determined by the HBS Online CORe administration and have precedence over corresponding Extension School policies.
- Last day to apply: August 26
- Last day to register: August 29
- Course start date: September 4
- Last day to drop for 100% tuition refund, minus the HBS Online $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee: September 5
MGMT E-10
HBS CORe: Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24586 | Section 1
Description
The Credential of Readiness (CORe program) is a primer on the fundamentals of business offered through Harvard Business School Online. Developed and taught by Harvard Business School faculty, this course covers business analytics, economics for managers, and financial accounting the essentials to contribute to business discussions and decision making. The business analytics portion is taught by Janice Hammond and introduces quantitative methods used to analyze data and make better management decisions. The economics for managers portion is taught by Bharat Anand and applies fundamental economic principles to business decisions, covering customer demand, supplier cost, pricing, markets, and differentiation. The financial accounting portion is taught by V.G. Narayanan and teaches key accounting concepts and principles to illuminate financial statements and unlock critical insights into business performance and potential. All learning materials and instructor and participant interaction take place within the online HBS Online learning environment. Although the professors do not have direct real-time interaction with students, they have developed short video lectures, cases, exercises, and other interactive learning elements to create a highly engaging educational experience. Participants typically learn as much (if not more) from thoughtful participation and from peers in this active learning ecosystem as they do from faculty content. Students registered in CORe will be required to keep up with the course material during the Harvard Extension School’s Spring Break. For more information see HBS Online’s CORe webpage. Students who have previously enrolled in HBS Online’s Financial Accounting, MGMT E-10 (or MGMT S-10), HBS Online’s CORe, or the HBS Online section of MGMT E-1000 (or MGMT S-1000), and were still enrolled after the 100% refund deadline are not eligible to enroll in MGMT E-10.
Prerequisites: To register for this course, students must apply to and be admitted by HBS Online for the January cohort. Apply now. If accepted, registration transactions must all be done on the HBS Online website. For more information, visit the HBS Online support portal. After registering with HBS Online, students receiving financial aid or any other type of financial assistance (for example, consortium agreements) should contact the Extension School Student Financial Services office at studentfinance@extension.harvard.edu.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 07, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $4,200.
Credits: 8
Notes:
This course is graded pass/fail with grades of high honors, honors, pass, or fail. Extension of time (EXT) grades are not available. Harvard University’s Tuition Assistance Plan (TAP) cannot be used. Certain other tuition discounts and scholarships are also excluded. Admission, registration, refund, make-up exam, and grading policies are determined by the HBS Online CORe administration and have precedence over corresponding Extension School policies.
- Last day to apply: December 30
- Last day to register: January 2
- Course start date: January 7
- Last day to drop for 100% tuition refund, minus the HBS Online $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee: January 8
MGMT E-1000
Financial Accounting Principles
Andrew Azer MS, Assurance Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16426 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the generally accepted principles that govern an entity’s financial accounting system and the income statement and balance sheet that are the principal end products of the system. Students learn how accounting information is used to evaluate the performance and financial status of an organization, both by managers within the organization and by shareholders, lenders, and other outside parties. Students who have completed MGMT E-10 may not count this course toward the ALB degree. Students may not take both MGMT E-1000 and ECON S-1900 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-1000
Financial Accounting Principles
V.G. Narayanan PhD, Thomas D. Casserly, Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Michele Jurgens MBA, PhD, Senior Researcher, HBS Online, Harvard Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15877 | Section 2
Description
Financial accounting is the backbone of any well-run business. Be it a Fortune 500 company, a start-up, or a non-profit, having a solid understanding of financial accounting is essential for business success. This course teaches students the fundamentals of financial accounting. Starting with the basics of recording transactions as journal entries and posting them to T-accounts, students learn how to prepare a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Equipped with an understanding of the building blocks of financial statements, students learn how to analyze them and calculate and interpret critical ratios. The course concludes with an introduction to forecasting and valuation where students learn to prepare forecasted financial statements and make capital budgeting decisions using tools such as net present value and internal rate of return calculations. Throughout the course both United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS) are considered. This course is delivered through the HBS Online Core platform and the Harvard Canvas platform. It features the educational material developed by Harvard Business School (HBS) and HBS Online for use by students seeking to become proficient in financial accounting principles and practices. In addition to the fully online pre-recorded portion, the course features eight live review sessions led by teaching fellows on Zoom, allowing students to apply and deepen their understanding of the basic accounting concepts. The review sessions, homework assignments, and additional elements in the course are delivered through Canvas. Students who have previously enrolled in HBS Online’s Financial Accounting, MGMT E-10 (or MGMT S-10), HBS Online’s CORe, or the HBS Online section of MGMT E-1000 (or MGMT S-1000), and were still enrolled after the 100 percent refund deadline are not eligible to enroll in this section of MGMT E-1000. They will be dropped from the course. Students may not count this course toward the HBS Online noncredit CORe or the HBS Online Financial Accounting Certificate. Students may not take both MGMT E-1000 and ECON S-1900 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged. Sections meet roughly every other week via live web conference starting the first week of classes. Students sign up for sections (first come, first served) on the Canvas course website. See course syllabus for details.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Registration for this section of MGMT E-1000 ends on August 29 for all students.
- Last day to register: August 29
- Last day to make credit status changes or drop for 100% tuition refund: September 10
- Last day to drop for 50% tuition refund: September 17
- Last day to withdraw for WD grade: November 22
MGMT E-1000
Financial Accounting Principles
James F. White MBA, Executive Director and System Controller, Boston Medical Center Health System
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26859 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the generally accepted principles that govern an entity’s financial accounting system and the income statement and balance sheet that are the principal end products of the system. Students learn how accounting information is used to evaluate the performance and financial status of an organization, both by managers within the organization and by shareholders, lenders, and other outside parties. Students who have completed MGMT E-10 may not count this course toward the ALB degree. Students may not take both MGMT E-1000 and ECON S-1900 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 300 students
MGMT E-1000
Financial Accounting Principles
V.G. Narayanan PhD, Thomas D. Casserly, Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
Michele Jurgens MBA, PhD, Senior Researcher, HBS Online, Harvard Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25179 | Section 2
Description
Financial accounting is the backbone of any well-run business. Be it a Fortune 500 company, a start-up, or a non-profit, having a solid understanding of financial accounting is essential for business success. This course teaches students the fundamentals of financial accounting. Starting with the basics of recording transactions as journal entries and posting them to T-accounts, students learn how to prepare a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Equipped with an understanding of the building blocks of financial statements, students learn how to analyze them and calculate and interpret critical ratios. The course concludes with an introduction to forecasting and valuation where students learn to prepare forecasted financial statements and make capital budgeting decisions using tools such as net present value and internal rate of return calculations. Throughout the course both United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS) are considered. This course is delivered through the HBS Online Core platform and the Harvard Canvas platform. It features the educational material developed by Harvard Business School (HBS) and HBS Online for use by students seeking to become proficient in financial accounting principles and practices. In addition to the fully online pre-recorded portion, the course features eight live review sessions led by teaching fellows on Zoom, allowing students to apply and deepen their understanding of the basic accounting concepts. The review sessions, homework assignments, and additional elements in the course are delivered through Canvas. Students who have previously enrolled in HBS Online’s Financial Accounting, MGMT E-10 (or MGMT S-10), HBS Online’s CORe, or the HBS Online section of MGMT E-1000 (or MGMT S-1000), and were still enrolled after the 100 percent refund deadline are not eligible to enroll in this section of MGMT E-1000. They will be dropped from the course. Students may not count this course toward the HBS Online noncredit CORe or the HBS Online Financial Accounting Certificate. Students may not take both MGMT E-1000 and ECON S-1900 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged. Sections meet roughly every other week via live web conference starting the first week of classes. Students sign up for sections (first come, first served) on the Canvas course website. See course syllabus for details.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Registration for this section of MGMT E-1000 ends on January 23 for all students.
- Last day to register: January 23
- Last day to make credit status changes or drop for 100% tuition refund: February 3
- Last day to drop for 50% tuition refund: February 10
- Last day to withdraw for WD grade: April 18
MGMT E-104
Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Economics and Finance
Sudhakar Raju PhD, Professor of Finance and Data Science, Rockhurst University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16613 | Section 1
Description
This course is a rigorous introduction to quantitative methods for students intending to study economics, finance, accounting, marketing, and management science. Examples are drawn from these areas. Topics covered include probability distributions, statistical inference, multiple linear regression, logistic regression, optimization, and machine learning. This course focuses on applications illustrating concepts with datasets. The statistical programming language, R, is completely integrated into the course. Students may count one of the following courses toward a degree or certificate, but not more than one: MGMT E-104, STAT E-100, STAT E-101 (offered previously), STAT E-102, or STAT E-104.
Prerequisites: Prior college-level course in statistics, and prior courses in economics or finance recommended. Familiarity with Excel. Familiarity with R is desirable but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 54 students
MGMT E-104
Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Economics and Finance
Sudhakar Raju PhD, Professor of Finance and Data Science, Rockhurst University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26002 | Section 1
Description
This course is a rigorous introduction to quantitative methods for students intending to study economics, finance, accounting, marketing, and management science. Examples are drawn from these areas. Topics covered include probability distributions, statistical inference, multiple linear regression, logistic regression, optimization, and machine learning. This course focuses on applications illustrating concepts with datasets. The statistical programming language, R, is completely integrated into the course. Students may count one of the following courses toward a degree or certificate, but not more than one: MGMT E-104, STAT E-100, STAT E-101 (offered previously), STAT E-102, or STAT E-104.
Prerequisites: Prior college-level course in statistics, and prior courses in economics or finance recommended. Familiarity with Excel. Familiarity with R is desirable but not required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-1300
Nonprofit and Governmental Accounting
James F. White MBA, Executive Director and System Controller, Boston Medical Center Health System
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26675 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the fundamentals of accounting and finance associated with governmental and nonprofit organizations. It emphasizes the issues related to fund accounting including general and special revenue funds, debt service funds, capital project funds, internal service funds, and enterprise and fiduciary funds. It emphasizes the issues related to net asset accounting including unrestricted net assets and restricted net assets (temporarily and permanently restricted). A detailed review of the complete preparation of financial statements for both governmental and nonprofit organizations is a core concept in the course. There is a review of the concepts associated with long-term debt and fixed-asset accounting, planning and control of cash and temporary investments, budgeting and budgetary control, management control and financial reporting, strategic planning, program analysis, measurement of output, reporting on performance, external auditing cost determination, and tax levies.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000 helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 80 students
MGMT E-1600
Managerial Accounting
Andrew Azer MS, Assurance Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16398 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the basic principles, methods, and challenges of modern managerial accounting. It covers traditional topics such as job-order costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting and variance analysis, profitability analysis, relevant costs for decision making, and cost-plus pricing, as well as emerging topics such as activity-based cost (ABC) accounting. The material is examined from the perspective of students preparing to use management accounting information as managers, to support decision making such as pricing, product mix, sourcing, and technology decisions, and short- and long-term planning; and to measure, evaluate, and reward performance. This course emphasizes the relationships between accounting techniques and other organizational activities, such as strategy and motivation. Students may not take both MGMT E-1600 and ECON S-1901 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-1600
Managerial Accounting
Andrew Azer MS, Assurance Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26844 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the basic principles, methods, and challenges of modern managerial accounting. It covers traditional topics such as job-order costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting and variance analysis, profitability analysis, relevant costs for decision making, and cost-plus pricing, as well as emerging topics such as activity-based cost (ABC) accounting. The material is examined from the perspective of students preparing to use management accounting information as managers, to support decision making such as pricing, product mix, sourcing, and technology decisions, and short- and long-term planning; and to measure, evaluate, and reward performance. This course emphasizes the relationships between accounting techniques and other organizational activities, such as strategy and motivation. Students may not take both MGMT E-1600 and ECON S-1901 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2000
Principles of Finance
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13407 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introductory survey of the field of finance. It examines the agents, instruments, and institutions that make up the financial system of the modern economy, such as bonds, the stock market, derivatives, and the money market. Along the way, standard concepts and tools of financial analysis are introduced: present discounted value, option value, and the efficient markets hypothesis. Recent developments in the field in particular, the application of psychology to financial markets (called behavioral finance) are also discussed. The course is designed to equip students with the tools they need to make their own financial decisions with greater skill and confidence. Specifically, we see how insights from academic finance can inform and improve students’ own investing decisions.
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2000
Principles of Finance
Gregory Sabin DBA
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16378 | Section 2
Description
This course provides an introductory survey of the field of finance. It examines the agents, instruments, and institutions that make up the financial system of the modern economy, such as bonds, the stock market, derivatives, and the money market. Along the way, standard concepts and tools of financial analysis are introduced: present discounted value, option value, and the efficient markets hypothesis. Recent developments in the field in particular, the application of psychology to financial markets (called behavioral finance) are also discussed. The course is designed to equip students with the tools they need to make their own financial decisions with greater skill and confidence. Specifically, we see how insights from academic finance can inform and improve students’ own investing decisions.
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2000
Principles of Finance
Gregory Sabin DBA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26202 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introductory survey of the field of finance. It examines the agents, instruments, and institutions that make up the financial system of the modern economy, such as bonds, the stock market, derivatives, and the money market. Along the way, standard concepts and tools of financial analysis are introduced: present discounted value, option value, and the efficient markets hypothesis. Recent developments in the field in particular, the application of psychology to financial markets (called behavioral finance) are also discussed. The course is designed to equip students with the tools they need to make their own financial decisions with greater skill and confidence. Specifically, we see how insights from academic finance can inform and improve students’ own investing decisions.
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2000
Principles of Finance
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23258 | Section 2
Description
This course provides an introductory survey of the field of finance. It examines the agents, instruments, and institutions that make up the financial system of the modern economy, such as bonds, the stock market, derivatives, and the money market. Along the way, standard concepts and tools of financial analysis are introduced: present discounted value, option value, and the efficient markets hypothesis. Recent developments in the field in particular, the application of psychology to financial markets (called behavioral finance) are also discussed. The course is designed to equip students with the tools they need to make their own financial decisions with greater skill and confidence. Specifically, we see how insights from academic finance can inform and improve students’ own investing decisions.
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
MGMT E-2020
Managerial Finance
Bulent Aybar PhD, Professor of International Finance, Southern New Hampshire University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16043 | Section 1
Description
The objective of the course is to provide the student with the basic analytical tools required to make value-creating financial decisions. The student is provided with an introduction to theoretical foundations and practical applications in financial decision making. Topics covered in the course include analysis of financial and operating performance, assessment of financial health, financial planning, working capital and growth management, the time value of money, risk-return trade off, valuation of financial and real assets, investment, funding, and distribution decisions in the context of nonfinancial firms.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2000 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-2035
Principles of Real Estate
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14821 | Section 1
Description
This course offers practical, real-world knowledge for investing in real estate. It’s designed both for those pursuing an active career in the industry as well as individuals interested in building wealth through passive real estate holdings. You learn what really drives land values. You explore how market forces shape your city and where to look for future growth. You practice spotting investment opportunities in the lifecycles of properties, neighborhoods, and cities. You study the four phases of the 18-year cycle which shape the real estate investment landscape. You receive hands-on training building financial models, analyzing cash flows, and measuring investment returns. Finally, you learn how entrepreneurs raise capital through debt and equity partnerships and explore strategies for successful investing. No prior real estate background is required.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
MGMT E-2035
Principles of Real Estate
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24792 | Section 1
Description
This course offers practical, real-world knowledge for investing in real estate. It’s designed both for those pursuing an active career in the industry as well as individuals interested in building wealth through passive real estate holdings. You learn what really drives land values. You explore how market forces shape your city and where to look for future growth. You practice spotting investment opportunities in the lifecycles of properties, neighborhoods, and cities. You study the four phases of the 18-year cycle which shape the real estate investment landscape. You receive hands-on training building financial models, analyzing cash flows, and measuring investment returns. Finally, you learn how entrepreneurs raise capital through debt and equity partnerships and explore strategies for successful investing. No prior real estate background is required.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2037
Real Estate Finance and Investment
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15718 | Section 1
Description
This course presents a toolkit for maximizing risk-adjusted investment returns. Students closely examine the four sources of real estate returns (cash flow, appreciation, loan amortization, and tax advantages) which have an impact on their investment strategy. They develop an investment scorecard for scrutinizing new investment opportunities. They practice a rigorous, rational approach to deciding when to hold, sell, refinance, or renovate a property. They study strategies for raising capital from investors and work through examples of successful partnership structures. Finally, students learn how to efficiently manage a growing portfolio of cash-flowing assets.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2035 is strongly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
MGMT E-2037
Real Estate Finance and Investment
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24505 | Section 1
Description
This course presents a toolkit for maximizing risk-adjusted investment returns. Students closely examine the four sources of real estate returns (cash flow, appreciation, loan amortization, and tax advantages) which have an impact on their investment strategy. They develop an investment scorecard for scrutinizing new investment opportunities. They practice a rigorous, rational approach to deciding when to hold, sell, refinance, or renovate a property. They study strategies for raising capital from investors and work through examples of successful partnership structures. Finally, students learn how to efficiently manage a growing portfolio of cash-flowing assets.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2035 is strongly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2600
Financial Statement Analysis
Matt Crandell MBA, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Innovation, Merced Capital
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17241 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to prepare students to interpret and analyze financial statements for tasks such as credit and security analyses, lending and investment decisions, and other decisions that rely on financial data. This course explores in greater depth financial reporting from the perspective of financial statement users. Students develop a sufficient understanding of the concepts and recording procedures and therefore are able to interpret various disclosures in an informed manner. Students learn to compare companies financially, understand cash flow, and grasp basic profitability issues and risk analysis concepts. Ultimately, students who complete this course develop a more efficient and effective approach to researching, interpreting, and analyzing financial statements.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000 and MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent required; MGMT E-1600 and MGMT E-2020 helpful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-2600
Financial Statement Analysis
Surjit Tinaikar PhD, Associate Professor of Accounting, College of Management, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26865 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to prepare students to interpret and analyze financial statements for tasks such as credit and security analyses, lending and investment decisions, and other decisions that rely on financial data. This course explores in greater depth financial reporting from the perspective of financial statement users. Students develop a sufficient understanding of the concepts and recording procedures and therefore are able to interpret various disclosures in an informed manner. Students learn to compare companies financially, understand cash flow, and grasp basic profitability issues and risk analysis concepts. Ultimately, students who complete this course develop a more efficient and effective approach to researching, interpreting, and analyzing financial statements.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000 and MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent required; MGMT E-1600 and MGMT E-2020 helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-2600
Financial Statement Analysis
Andrew Azer MS, Assurance Senior Manager, CohnReznick
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25065 | Section 2
Description
This course is designed to prepare students to interpret and analyze financial statements for tasks such as credit and security analyses, lending and investment decisions, and other decisions that rely on financial data. This course explores in greater depth financial reporting from the perspective of financial statement users. Students develop a sufficient understanding of the concepts and recording procedures and therefore are able to interpret various disclosures in an informed manner. Students learn to compare companies financially, understand cash flow, and grasp basic profitability issues and risk analysis concepts. Ultimately, students who complete this course develop a more efficient and effective approach to researching, interpreting, and analyzing financial statements.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000 and MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent required; MGMT E-1600 and MGMT E-2020 helpful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-2620
Business Analysis and Valuation
James F. White MBA, Executive Director and System Controller, Boston Medical Center Health System
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16352 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces a framework for the analysis of financial statements and financial plans, with a particular focus on their usefulness in valuing and financing companies and evaluating corporate and management performance. Students learn how to value financial assets by gaining an in-depth understanding of valuation theory and how valuation models work. To value a company, students study how to assess the financial health of a company by considering macroeconomic data and corporate strategies, and analyzing the company’s financial statements. They utilize different valuation methods including discounted cash flow (DCF), dividend discount model (DDM), residual income valuation (RIM), and market multiples to ascertain the intrinsic value or fair value of the company.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, and either MGMT E-2020 or MGMT E-2700, or the equivalents.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2620
Business Analysis and Valuation
Laurie G. Richardson DBA, Adjunct Professor of Finance, Fairfield University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26869 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces a framework for the analysis of financial statements and financial plans, with a particular focus on their usefulness in valuing and financing companies and evaluating corporate and management performance. Students learn how to value financial assets by gaining an in-depth understanding of valuation theory and how valuation models work. To value a company, students study how to assess the financial health of a company by considering macroeconomic data and corporate strategies, and analyzing the company’s financial statements. They utilize different valuation methods including discounted cash flow (DCF), dividend discount model (DDM), residual income valuation (RIM), and market multiples to ascertain the intrinsic value or fair value of the company.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, and either MGMT E-2020 or MGMT E-2700, or the equivalents.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-2700
Corporate Finance
Monika Sywak PhD, Associate Professor of Finance, Villanova University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17223 | Section 1
Description
The goal of this course is to develop skills for making corporate investment and financing decisions. Topics include discounted cash flow and other valuation techniques; risk and return; capital asset pricing model; corporate capital structure and financial policy; capital budgeting; mergers and acquisitions; and investment and financing decisions in the international context, including exchange rate/interest rate risk analysis. Students may not count both MGMT E-2700 and MGMT E-2710 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, or MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-2700
Corporate Finance
James F. White MBA, Executive Director and System Controller, Boston Medical Center Health System
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17224 | Section 2
Description
The goal of this course is to develop skills for making corporate investment and financing decisions. Topics include discounted cash flow and other valuation techniques; risk and return; capital asset pricing model; corporate capital structure and financial policy; capital budgeting; mergers and acquisitions; and investment and financing decisions in the international context, including exchange rate/interest rate risk analysis. Students may not count both MGMT E-2700 and MGMT E-2710 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, or MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2700
Corporate Finance
Bruce D. Watson MA, Master Lecturer on Economics, Boston University and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23462 | Section 1
Description
The goal of this course is to develop skills for making corporate investment and financing decisions. Topics include discounted cash flow and other valuation techniques; risk and return; capital asset pricing model; corporate capital structure and financial policy; capital budgeting; mergers and acquisitions; and investment and financing decisions in the international context, including exchange rate/interest rate risk analysis. Students may not count both MGMT E-2700 and MGMT E-2710 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, or MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-2700
Corporate Finance
Matt Crandell MBA, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Innovation, Merced Capital
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26876 | Section 2
Description
The goal of this course is to develop skills for making corporate investment and financing decisions. Topics include discounted cash flow and other valuation techniques; risk and return; capital asset pricing model; corporate capital structure and financial policy; capital budgeting; mergers and acquisitions; and investment and financing decisions in the international context, including exchange rate/interest rate risk analysis. Students may not count both MGMT E-2700 and MGMT E-2710 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000, or MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-2720
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructurings
Viktoria Dalko PhD, Professor of Finance, Hult International Business School
Peter Bheda MM, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Frontera Hotel Group
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17230 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with a deep understanding of the strategic, economic, and financial aspects related to mergers and acquisitions (M A). We explore the entire M A process, from identifying potential targets to post-deal integration. The course emphasizes not only the technical aspects but also the critical leadership skills required for successful M A execution. Key topics covered include strategic consideration, deal sourcing and initiation, deal structure and design, negotiation skills, leadership in M A, and post-deal integration. The course combines a variety of learning formats, including negotiation with artificial intelligence bots, role plays, self-reflection, breakout room discussions, group projects of deal evaluation, other experiential learning tools, and group discussions, in addition to lectures, building financial models, and interacting with industry leaders.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000 and MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent; business analysis and valuation helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, October 29-December 21, 12:30pm-2:45pm
Term Start Date: October 28, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-2720
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructurings
Viktoria Dalko PhD, Professor of Finance, Hult International Business School
Peter Bheda MM, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Frontera Hotel Group
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25743 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with a deep understanding of the strategic, economic, and financial aspects related to mergers and acquisitions (M A). We explore the entire M A process, from identifying potential targets to post-deal integration. The course emphasizes not only the technical aspects but also the critical leadership skills required for successful M A execution. Key topics covered include strategic consideration, deal sourcing and initiation, deal structure and design, negotiation skills, leadership in M A, and post-deal integration. The course combines a variety of learning formats, including negotiation with artificial intelligence bots, role plays, self-reflection, breakout room discussions, group projects of deal evaluation, other experiential learning tools, and group discussions, in addition to lectures, building financial models, and interacting with industry leaders.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-1000 and MGMT E-2000, or the equivalent; business analysis and valuation helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 10:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-2725
Global M A Design: Digital Business Model Innovation and Cross-Border Deals
Bulent Aybar PhD, Professor of International Finance, Southern New Hampshire University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26495 | Section 1
Description
In rapidly evolving markets and industries with patterns of digital disruption, business model innovation, and global value chain strategies are paramount to increasing shareholder value and propelling growth. Business strategies have to be sensitive to their specific ecosystem and should be tailor-made. Mergers and acquisitions (M As) are a specific approach to leverage growth and value by redesigning corporate portfolios or by creating a competitive advantage at the business unit level. The dark side of these strategies is that they have significant risk profiles, and they tend to under-deliver on promised synergies and may seriously diminish shareholder value. This course focuses on the strategic and technical challenges of M A process in the international context and offers a rich toolbox for prospective analysts and managers.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2000, MGMT E-2020, or MGMT E-2700, or equivalent courses in finance.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-2784
Hedge Funds: History, Strategies, and Practice
Peter Marber PhD, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets, Aperture Investors, and Adjunct Instructor, Finance, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26575 | Section 1
Description
While beating the markets was long thought to be impossible, hedge funds have seemingly challenged many financial theories, cracked the mysteries of Wall Street, and made fortunes in the process. They are also one of the fastest growing and least understood areas in the asset management industry. What exactly are hedge funds? How has the sector developed? What do hedge fund managers strive to capture and how do they do it? What are the major hedge fund strategies and their mechanics? What are their hidden risks and unique limitations? How important are hedge funds to investors, regulators, and the public? From both a theoretical and practical perspective, this course is geared to help answer these questions. It surveys the hedge fund industry from its origins in the 1940s and explores hedge fund strategies including long/short, event-driven, market neutral, relative value, dedicated short-bias, convertible arbitrage, emerging markets, fixed income arbitrage, global macro, managed futures, and multi-sector investing. Students develop an understanding of how hedge fund managers as well as hedge fund investors think, operate, and invest. The course tracks a live multi-sector hedge fund portfolio throughout the semester and analyzes current events and price action.
Prerequisites: The course requires a basic knowledge of finance and modest competency in MS Excel. Prior coursework or work experience in finance would also be useful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-2790
Private Equity
Viney Sawhney MS, President, Boston National Capital Partners
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26390 | Section 1
Description
This course provides the intellectual framework used in the private equity process: valuation in private equity settings, creating term sheets, and the process of due diligence and deal structuring. Other learning objectives include building an understanding of harvesting through initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions, public-private partnerships, and sovereign wealth funds. The final objective is to show how corporate governance, ethics, and legal considerations factor into private equity deals.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2000 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-2795
Venture Capital
Viney Sawhney MS, President, Boston National Capital Partners
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16798 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the venture capital cycle and typical venture-backed start-up companies. It covers the typical venture fund structure and related venture capital objectives and investment strategies, intellectual property, and common organizational issues encountered in the formation of start-ups. It covers matters relating to initial capitalization and early stage equity incentive and compensation arrangements, valuation methodologies, challenges of fundraising, due diligence, financing strategies, and harvesting. Students critically examine investment terms found in term sheets and the dynamics of negotiations between the owners and the venture capitalist. The course examines the role of venture capitalists in adding value during the growth phase for portfolio companies. Alternate financing channels that include incubators, accelerators, crowd-funding, angels, and super-angels are studied in depth. The system of rules, practices, and processes by which start-ups are directed and controlled and the typical dynamics that play out between the venture capitalist and the entrepreneur are an integral part of this course.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2000 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-3010
Leadership Communications
Michelle Ehrenreich MBA, Founding Partner, Acuity Partners
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13584 | Section 1
Description
Students learn how to communicate clearly and persuasively, in a way that inspires action. They learn how to tailor communications to different audiences, apply the principles of logical reasoning in structuring communications, connect authentically with their audience through their unique leadership style, and create compelling, high-impact presentations and communications. Classes are often spent on hands-on exercises and offer ample opportunity for discussion and feedback.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-3010
Leadership Communications
Michelle Ehrenreich MBA, Founding Partner, Acuity Partners
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24058 | Section 1
Description
Students learn how to communicate clearly and persuasively, in a way that inspires action. They learn how to tailor communications to different audiences, apply the principles of logical reasoning in structuring communications, connect authentically with their audience through their unique leadership style, and create compelling, high-impact presentations and communications. Classes are often spent on hands-on exercises and offer ample opportunity for discussion and feedback.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-3012
The Art of Communication
Mimi Goss PhD, President, Mimi Goss Communications
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25976 | Section 1
Description
Today’s leaders must convey their messages concisely, confidently, and memorably. This course is for students to strengthen their public speaking and writing skills, and their authentic voices as professionals. We explore speechwriting, public speaking in victory and crisis, communicating from values, and working with social media and the news media. How can you make every communication a dialogue? How can you advance your goals and those of your listeners? How does speaking from the best of yourself give you confidence? How do you distill a message into one memorable sentence that captures your listeners’ attention, moves your ideas forward, focuses the problem, and helps you achieve your goals? The course emphasizes weekly practical assignments. The goal of the course is for students to create final projects based on their specific interests and useful in their professional lives.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MGMT E-3018
Difficult Managerial Conversations
Mukul Kumar PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, Hult International Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17232 | Section 1
Description
Managers face difficult situations and conversations on a weekly basis. Managerial performance in these conversations is critical to managerial reputation and company culture. The adage that employees quit managers, not companies, is a reminder these difficult conversations are critical drivers of the level of employee engagement and the rate of talent attrition at an organization. Immersing oneself in simulations of difficult conversations to build muscle memory via practice and feedback is the approach used by expensive coaches for the chief executive officers of large organizations. Those who do not have access to such coaches use generative artificial intelligence (AI) as a leveling technology that enables all learners to get access to practice and intensive feedback for these difficult conversations. In this course, we cover a limited number of these difficult conversations, including addressing unacceptable performance from an individual; correcting poor diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging behaviors; firing an employee; resolving conflict between two or more employees; delivering an inspiring speech at a critical moment in a project; and two or three other situations based on the collective interests from the students in the course. Students read about the theory underlying motivation and individual behaviors in these situations, practice the situations, improve performance based on the structured feedback provided, and reflect on further possibilities for improvement and transformation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, October 28-December 21, 2:00pm-4:15pm
Term Start Date: October 28, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-3310
Grant Proposal Writing
George T. Kosar PhD, Associate Vice President of Development, The Everglades Foundation and Associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13610 | Section 1
Description
This project-based course covers the complete process of grant proposal development: identification of an achievable and fundable project, research and assessment of viable funding sources, funder relations, proposal writing, budget development, preparation of a full proposal package for submission, and post-award or rejection follow-up with funders. The course emphasizes grants to private, community, and corporate foundations. Students gain an understanding of the nonprofit philanthropic environment and become familiar with tools and resources available to assist them as they seek funds for their projects, institutions, or causes.
Prerequisites: Students must have a specific project or a fairly well-developed idea that they build upon as the basis for their coursework and final grant proposal. This project or idea cannot be for a for-profit business. Solid writing skills and experience or coursework in nonprofit sector/management highly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Tonya Echols PsyD, Managing Principal, Vigere and Adjunct Faculty, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, William Mary
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17228 | Section 1
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Lee Bolman PhD, Professor and Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership Emeritus, Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri – Kansas City
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14515 | Section 2
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Carmine P. Gibaldi EdD, Professor of Management and Organizational Psychology, St. John’s University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13813 | Section 3
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Paul Green DBA, Assistant Professor of Management, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15733 | Section 4
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 80 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Ellen Harris EdM, Executive Leadership and Career Coach, Harvard Business School and Senior Director, Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound Professional
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23220 | Section 1
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Lee Bolman PhD, Professor and Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership Emeritus, Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri – Kansas City
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26668 | Section 2
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Robert T. Anthony PhD, Professor of Management, Hult International Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25539 | Section 3
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Paul Green DBA, Assistant Professor of Management, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26053 | Section 4
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
MGMT E-4000
Organizational Behavior
Tonya Echols PsyD, Managing Principal, Vigere and Adjunct Faculty, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, William Mary
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26940 | Section 5
Description
This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4030
Leading through Change
Ryan Taylor Ward McCreedy PsyD, Senior Principal, Organizational Effectiveness, Slalom Consulting
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23860 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to be an introduction to the challenges of adapting to the rapidly changing conditions that we all face as our workplace becomes more automated, as our assumptions surrounding our skill sets become outdated, and as new additions to the decision-making process, such as big data and machine learning, increase the need to cope with exponential complexity. This approach to understanding what it means to adapt and to remain flexible extends to almost every profession. To a future practitioner it is creating a mindset that supports diversity of viewpoints by remaining open to new ways of thinking in order to facilitate creativity and innovation. From a macro-perspective, students are made aware of alternative ways of framing change initiatives either as incremental or transformational events within an organization. From this viewpoint they are then able to search for appropriate strategies designed to optimize present and future resources. Over the years management theory has evolved from adopting best practices as a prescriptive approach to solving problems to one that incorporates the latest research in mindfulness as a method for slowing down the process, creating a brief moment of stability, deconstructing the issues, and generating multiple alternatives that address present concerns. A learning experience of this type poses many interesting philosophical perspectives and provides a foundation for better understanding the complex decision-making matrices that drive most organizational dynamics.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4100
Managing Yourself and Leading Others
Margaret Andrews MS, Managing Director, Higher Ed Associates and Founder, The MYLO Center
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15413 | Section 1
Description
Managing others may not be complex, but it is certainly not easy. Simple, straightforward management principles can often be deceptively difficult to implement. This course teaches the fundamentals of management from different angles managing oneself, managing organizational life, and managing others (managing upward, downward, and sideways). Using a variety of readings, written assignments, in-class exercises, and case discussions, the class focuses on understanding individual strengths, preferences, and blind spots our own and others’ and working with other people to advance career goals and organizational objectives. Management requires judgment and students should expect to grapple with ambiguous situations that do not have simple solutions.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4105
Cultivating Authentic Leadership
Anne N. Occhipinti MA, Assistant Dean for Professional Education, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16617 | Section 1
Description
Self-awareness is essential on your path to authentic leadership. This course uses a variety of self-assessment tools, readings, and discussions to help us understand work styles and preferences, strengths and goals, and how those factors contribute to the type of leader we want to be. It is increasingly important for people to have a clear idea of who they are and their purpose in life in order to navigate their work-life and become confident and inspiring leaders. Authenticity is about the true self; having clarity about and acting based on one’s deepest interests, values, and motivations, and most importantly how we can bring our authentic selves into all corners of our lives. Students apply what they have learned from the course to their personal development through in-depth self-exploration. Students also use peer coaching which allows them to explore areas of growth, as well as to develop this important skill set. The course aims to promote skills for students to understand and develop authenticity in themselves.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-4122
Influence and Power in Organizations
Laura M. Downing MBA, Founder, CLIR Coaching
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17222 | Section 1
Description
In a world of flattening organizations and expanding networks, success accrues to those who understand how to influence effectively and use power to their advantage. Unfortunately, very few know what influence and power are or how to build skills in these areas. In this course, students learn how to use influence and power as tools for understanding environments, crafting agendas, and reaching personal goals. The course is designed to uncover individual views and feelings about personal presence and influence and power, and develop practical perspectives and approaches to overcome problems and capitalize on opportunities. Through lecture, case discussions, and weekly application assignments, students learn how to grow influence and power in their own organizations.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 37 students
MGMT E-4140
Gender, Leadership, and Management
Patricia H. Deyton MDiv, Senior Advisor, Council of Women World Leaders
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17226 | Section 1
Description
This discussion-based seminar, which is equally important for women and men, examines leadership and management from gender-based historical and current perspectives. Issues covered include leadership styles and their impact, understanding power, conflict management, ethical decision making, workplace stereotypes, impact on policy making, differences in communication, negotiations, and approaches to teamwork. Students have the opportunity to lead discussions and engage in a small-scale research project of their own design.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MGMT E-4152
Building Leadership Skills
Laura M. Downing MBA, Founder, CLIR Coaching
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26857 | Section 1
Description
In today’s workplace, leadership skills have never been more important they are essential to managerial success, especially at senior levels across all sectors and industries. But as early to mid-career professionals become seasoned in their roles, they often grow overly reliant on their technical or functional expertise. Unfortunately, this focus on technical skills has the opposite effect it prevents people from moving into leadership roles because what managers need to advance are conceptual, not technical, skills. This course covers the essential leadership skills managers need to advance in their careers in the areas of strategy and results, talent and teams, and change and communication. The course is designed to facilitate concept review, case study analysis, and real-time practical application in each student’s workplace. Through lectures, background reading, case discussion, and weekly application assignments students, learn to improve their leadership skills at work.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4160
Creating and Leading Team Dynamics
Ryan Taylor Ward McCreedy PsyD, Senior Principal, Organizational Effectiveness, Slalom Consulting
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13375 | Section 1
Description
In today’s complex organizational environments, working within a team format, whether in a leadership role or as an active participant, requires a distinct set of skills compared to acting individually. This course focuses on the role of teaming as an executive function and the challenges of developing an effective communication style. Creativity, conflict resolution, and facilitating innovation are some of the major themes. Other topics explore building a climate of accountability and establishing conditions that provide flow and high performance. The course is highly interactive with case-based exercises intended to build students’ skills as effective, contributing team members. Self-reflection about one’s own teaming behavior is a central activity during the semester.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-4189
Nonprofit Leadership and Community Engagement
Madeline Dupre McNeely MEd, Principal and Founder, Conditioning Leaders
Harry Harding ALM, Owner and Lead Instructor, LeaderFULL Life Works, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26877 | Section 1
Description
Given increasing inequities in society, nonprofit leadership and community engagement ideas and practices are needed now more than ever. This course focuses on developing twenty-first century leadership skills, values, and habits. A collaborative, inclusive, and equitable approach is essential for sustainable, meaningful leadership and community engagement in local and global contexts. The core of this course is the undertaking of a community engagement project initiated by students. This course also relies on facilitated dialogues, reflections, small group conversations, writing assignments, and student presentations. We create space for experiential, collaborative learning anchored by David Ehrlichman’s Impact Networks, and articles and videos from leadership and nonprofit fields. At the heart of the course is a commitment to supporting students in becoming leaders of belonging, equity, inclusion, and diversity wherever they go and whomever they influence.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4190
Using Literature and Film to Develop the Complete Leader-Manager: An Innovative Approach
Raymond F. Comeau PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Tiffany Nancy Lin ALM, Staff Scientist, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16906 | Section 1
Description
A leader-manager, to be truly complete, must develop a full spectrum of aptitudes, from analytical, strategic, and organizational skills to the ability for empathy, intuition, imagination, and vision. A leader-manager with strong skills on one side of the spectrum but weak skills on the other is seriously hampered. They may not be able to work effectively with others, for example, or appreciate the complexity of a given situation. The goal of this course is to develop the full spectrum of managerial leadership skills thus the complete leader-manager through the creative use of literature and film. Our method is as follows: first, students read the works and view the films, selecting a topic of interest; second, through the use of a one-page paper, they build a bridge between their topic of interest and a leadership or managerial situation they have read about or experienced; third, they discuss their papers with students in the class. This results in deeper, fresher, and more nuanced perspectives on managerial leadership. Specific topics that we have studied in the past include: achieving work/life balance; dealing with inflexible and challenging colleagues; taking an unpopular course of action; balancing ambition with ethical concerns; leading with vision; developing personal power; recognizing and overcoming racial, gender, and cultural biases; thinking like an entrepreneur; using effective communication strategies to resolve conflict; creating an inclusive and innovative workplace environment; overcoming resistance to change; thinking strategically to plan present and future initiatives; and carrying out fragile negotiations. Films covered include The Aviator (Martin Scorsese), Gandhi (Richard Attenborough), Shall We Dance? (Masayuki Suo), The Age of Innocence (Martin Scorsese), Whale Rider (Niki Caro), and Chariots of Fire (Hugh Hudson). Works of literature include Antigone (Sophocles), Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare), Billy Budd (Herman Melville), The Guest (Albert Camus), A Doll’s House (Henrik Ibsen), and Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe).
Prerequisites: An interest in literature and film and the flexibility to apply their themes to managerial leadership situations. This course will be useful for all leader-managers, from beginning to experienced.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Diana Buttu MBA, JD, Lawyer
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15130 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Prerequisites: Registration in this section of MGMT E-4225 is restricted to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, management or industrial-organizational psychology.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Paula Gutlove MD, Deputy Director, Institute for Resource and Security Studies
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17231 | Section 2
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Maurie Kelly PhD, Director of Informatics, Institutes of Energy and the Environment and Instructor, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16525 | Section 3
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17041 | Section 4
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-October 26, 6:00pm-8:15pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26370 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Diana Buttu MBA, JD, Lawyer
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26667 | Section 2
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Maurie Kelly PhD, Director of Informatics, Institutes of Energy and the Environment and Instructor, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24082 | Section 3
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4225
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Nicholas Coburn-Palo PhD, Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26936 | Section 4
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept and types of negotiation. It is designed for students who wish to manage individual and organizational conflict and negotiations more effectively based on the premise that those in management positions engage in some form of negotiation daily. Students discuss the meaning, types, and different strategies of negotiation with an emphasis on an integrative, collaborative, win-win negotiation approach. A variety of topics are discussed including, but not limited to, workplace conflict, strategies for diagnosing conflict situations, power, culture and diversity in negotiation, emotional elements in approaching negotiation and conflict resolution, psychological sub-processes, social contexts, individual differences, multiparty situations, and dealing with impasses. Students learn theories of interpersonal and organizational conflict and its resolution as applied to personal, corporate, historical, and political contexts. The course brings out the significance of leadership in approaching and managing a negotiation situation and organizational conflict resolution.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4230
Advanced Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Strategies
Maurie Kelly PhD, Director of Informatics, Institutes of Energy and the Environment and Instructor, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24814 | Section 1
Description
This course helps students build on their existing knowledge and experience and grow into a more agile, creative, and focused negotiators. This highly interactive course delves into the strategic System 2 Thinking and planning that drive success in multiple arenas including multiparty negotiations, international coalitions, and multiphase situations. We explore impossible situations, deadlocked conflicts, and interpersonal, organizational, and international disputes and learn the skills required to address these scenarios. Students develop more sophisticated negotiating skills, learn how to avoid the most serious pitfalls, and emerge prepared to conduct a wider range of complex negotiations and resolve conflicts with confidence.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-4225, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4232
Mediation: Problem Solving across Differences
Eugene B. Kogan PhD, Managing Director, Kogan Global Advisory, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26882 | Section 1
Description
In organizations, institutions, and teams, harnessing diverse perspectives toward common goals is among the top management challenges. This is an area where mediation convening people across differences in service of responsible problem-solving can play a constructive role. Among alternative dispute resolution (ADR) approaches, mediation is distinctive in creating spaces (virtual or physical) where people feel empowered to explore the sources of their differences and envision sustainable solutions. As such, it can be an effective part of a manager’s day-to-day organizational development toolkit. In this course, we discuss how to design and lead a mediation process, uncover the roots of conflict, acknowledge the parties’ needs, identify workable solutions, and overcome common traps, while ensuring professional and personal ethical standards. Topics covered include creating an inclusive company culture through mediation; designing spaces physical and virtual that enable diverse perspectives to be acknowledged and explored; diagnosing and addressing psychological biases that inhibit collaboration; the role of gender and culture in mediating disputes; developing and exercising leadership with a mediation mindset; in-person, online, and hybrid mediation; and the emotional dimensions of mediation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-March 15, 11:00am-1:15pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4240
Human Resource Management
Michael K. Thomas EdD, President and Chief Executive Officer, New England Board of Higher Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13365 | Section 1
Description
Human resource management (HRM) can be defined as the effective use of human resources in an organization, through the management of people-related activities. It is a strategic organizational activity of increasing complexity and importance. This introductory course covers the range of critical HR issues and core activities that all managers need to understand, including strategic HRM, legal issues, talent acquisition, performance management, employee development, and compensation and rewards. Through interactive lectures and case studies, students become familiar with the basic principles and techniques of strategic HRM. The course takes a practical view that integrates contemporary management thought with practical aspects of implementing HR functions in the real world. It enables students to be effective talent managers and to ensure that people are a source of an organization’s competitive advantage. Additionally, the course focuses on a set of emerging, innovation-oriented issues that are applicable across all of the core topics. These include HR and people analytics to better justify investments in HRM and people, leaders are increasingly looking for ways to leverage data and analytics to drive individual and collective performance; and coaching, mentoring, and performance improvement leaders and managers are tasked with helping to improve employee satisfaction, growth, and performance, but leaders and managers need support in learning to provide sustained and effective feedback in its various forms. We also cover continuous learning the organization that learns the most and the fastest will have a competitive advantage; the changing world of work and contemporary issues the global pandemic and other forces are quickly changing work and organizations, pushing HR professionals to learn and lead in new ways; and equity, diversity, and inclusion the workforce is changing to reflect societal diversity and organizations face new pressures to demonstrate their commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 80 students
MGMT E-4240
Human Resource Management
Carlos Echalar MBA, Chief Human Resources Officer, CDM Smith
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17251 | Section 2
Description
Human resource management (HRM) can be defined as the effective use of human resources in an organization, through the management of people-related activities. It is a strategic organizational activity of increasing complexity and importance. This introductory course covers the range of critical HR issues and core activities that all managers need to understand, including strategic HRM, legal issues, talent acquisition, performance management, employee development, and compensation and rewards. Through interactive lectures and case studies, students become familiar with the basic principles and techniques of strategic HRM. The course takes a practical view that integrates contemporary management thought with practical aspects of implementing HR functions in the real world. It enables students to be effective talent managers and to ensure that people are a source of an organization’s competitive advantage. Additionally, the course focuses on a set of emerging, innovation-oriented issues that are applicable across all of the core topics. These include HR and people analytics to better justify investments in HRM and people, leaders are increasingly looking for ways to leverage data and analytics to drive individual and collective performance; and coaching, mentoring, and performance improvement leaders and managers are tasked with helping to improve employee satisfaction, growth, and performance, but leaders and managers need support in learning to provide sustained and effective feedback in its various forms. We also cover continuous learning the organization that learns the most and the fastest will have a competitive advantage; the changing world of work and contemporary issues the global pandemic and other forces are quickly changing work and organizations, pushing HR professionals to learn and lead in new ways; and equity, diversity, and inclusion the workforce is changing to reflect societal diversity and organizations face new pressures to demonstrate their commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4240
Human Resource Management
Michael K. Thomas EdD, President and Chief Executive Officer, New England Board of Higher Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23214 | Section 1
Description
Human resource management (HRM) can be defined as the effective use of human resources in an organization, through the management of people-related activities. It is a strategic organizational activity of increasing complexity and importance. This introductory course covers the range of critical HR issues and core activities that all managers need to understand, including strategic HRM, legal issues, talent acquisition, performance management, employee development, and compensation and rewards. Through interactive lectures and case studies, students become familiar with the basic principles and techniques of strategic HRM. The course takes a practical view that integrates contemporary management thought with practical aspects of implementing HR functions in the real world. It enables students to be effective talent managers and to ensure that people are a source of an organization’s competitive advantage. Additionally, the course focuses on a set of emerging, innovation-oriented issues that are applicable across all of the core topics. These include HR and people analytics to better justify investments in HRM and people, leaders are increasingly looking for ways to leverage data and analytics to drive individual and collective performance; and coaching, mentoring, and performance improvement leaders and managers are tasked with helping to improve employee satisfaction, growth, and performance, but leaders and managers need support in learning to provide sustained and effective feedback in its various forms. We also cover continuous learning the organization that learns the most and the fastest will have a competitive advantage; the changing world of work and contemporary issues the global pandemic and other forces are quickly changing work and organizations, pushing HR professionals to learn and lead in new ways; and equity, diversity, and inclusion the workforce is changing to reflect societal diversity and organizations face new pressures to demonstrate their commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 80 students
MGMT E-4241
Nonprofit Human Resource Management
Cindy M. Joyce MA, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Pillar Search and Human Resources Consulting
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25940 | Section 1
Description
How do you make the most of your more valuable asset your team in a nonprofit, and how do you ensure that they are well aligned with your mission? This course examines human resources (HR) in the nonprofit setting, providing an introduction to the practices, policies, and theories related to nonprofit human resource management. Whether you are now or plan to be an HR practitioner, leader, or board member with a nonprofit organization, museum, school, or foundation, this course prepares you with the knowledge and skills needed to manage, train, and support human capital and ensure a positive and productive employee experience.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4310
Creativity and Innovation
Mike Grandinetti MBA, Adjunct Professor, School of Engineering and Faculty Lead, School of Professional Studies, Brown University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25687 | Section 1
Description
Creativity is not just for artists. In fact, it is a fundamental aspect of success regardless of functional role, place in the organizational hierarchy, or industry sector. In the world of business, creativity manifests as innovation. According to a recent survey of 1,500 C-level executives by IBM, creativity is the number one leadership competency required to effectively navigate our increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Whether operating in the corporate, startup, social entrepreneurship, not-for-profit, or public sectors, organizations increasingly need people who understand the creative process; know how to manage, motivate, and engage creative professionals; and can develop an organizational culture that encourages experimentation, considers the inevitable failures as learning opportunities, and enables innovative outcomes. This course focuses on best practices in creativity and innovation, exploring the interplay between creativity, organizational processes and systems, and successful innovation. Throughout the course we explore tools and techniques for fostering individual and group creativity, management practices that foster (or inhibit) innovation, methods for developing and evaluating ideas for new products and services, the business models to execute these ideas, and principles and practices for leading innovation. Using a variety of readings, case examples, discussions, experiential exercises, and a team project, students explore and apply the principles of creativity and innovation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4400
Diversity and Inclusion Management
Tracie Denise Jones MEd, Deputy Institute Community Equity Officer, Institute Community Equity Office, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26241 | Section 1
Description
As workplaces become increasingly diverse, both opportunities and challenges arise. People must constantly interact with peers, managers, and customers with different backgrounds, experiences, and identities. When used effectively, these differences can not only improve performance and creativity, but they can also lead to greater employee and customer engagement, satisfaction, and inclusion. This course is designed to help employees and managers navigate diverse work settings more effectively and provide them with the tools to deepen their understanding of the differences around them, overcome barriers to creating inclusion, manage and communicate with people from different backgrounds, and identify and implement approaches for managing diversity.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4422
Institutions and Equitable Transformation
Erica Jacqueline Licht MSc, Research Project Director, Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17247 | Section 1
Description
This course examines diverse types of institutions in American life, the driving systems of power that maintain structural inequities, and examples of real-life effective interventions and strategies for change. Set in the context of history and data on social and racial inequities, classes are based around case studies in education, local government, philanthropy, medium-size nonprofits, and tribal sovereignty. Readings draw from core pedagogy in organizational behavior and change management as well as contemporary literature by industry leaders and guest lectures from practitioners. What gets in the way of creating change? And what is required for creating resilient organizations? Students explore key tools used in the field and apply concepts to their own work experience.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4425
Harnessing Employee Talent: Motivating a Diverse Workforce
Samantha Nicole Smith BA, Doctoral Candidate in Organizational Behavior, Harvard Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26881 | Section 1
Description
This course offers a comprehensive examination of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within organizational contexts, focusing on practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments and driving positive change. Furthermore, this course provides working professionals with frameworks and tools to understand and leverage motivational factors in promoting inclusive workplaces. Through a blend of behavioral economics, psychology, and organizational theory, students examine how diverse perspectives and inclusive practices can enhance the effectiveness of incentive systems and drive value creation within organizations. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to foster inclusive environments, leverage diversity for organizational success, and design incentive systems that promote value creation while embracing the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-4520
The Science of Happiness and Wellbeing
Mukul Kumar PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, Hult International Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16863 | Section 1
Description
The course translates findings from academic research, particularly in positive psychology and behavior change, into attitudes, behaviors, and practices that students can adopt to have happy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives. We explore the foundation of happiness and what makes us happy, set goals, and chart a path for achieving a greater sense of happiness. The course goes beyond knowledge acquisition and requires hands-on student engagement with weekly reflections and practices for behavior change. We also survey the growing range of happiness technology tools and technologies that support individuals in their quest for a more fulfilling life and explore entrepreneurial ideation for creating new happiness technology ventures.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-October 26, 2:00pm-4:15pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4600
Exploring the Coaching Landscape in Business
Tonya Echols PsyD, Managing Principal, Vigere and Adjunct Faculty, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, William Mary
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26863 | Section 1
Description
Coaching has become an emerging area of interest in personal and professional circles, and a sought-after skillset in business settings. As coaching has grown in popularity, it is often confused with other forms of developmental activity such as formal supervision, consulting, mentoring, and even therapy. This course provides a foundational understanding of the distinct purpose, skills, and applications of coaching and the role it plays in business settings. Students learn how coaching has evolved as a recognized profession with specific ethics, competencies, and certification processes. We explore the academic research that supports coaching as a vehicle for change and growth, including insights from psychology, human performance studies, and neuroscience. While not a certification course, the content provides students with opportunities to learn core coaching tenants and frameworks and actively practice key coaching skills of self- and other-awareness, listening, inquiry, reframing, and exploring options. Other topics may include emerging areas in the coaching field such as team coaching, somatics, and systems approaches. This course is well suited for students who already do some coaching in their personal and/or work settings and would like a more fundamental understanding of what coaching is, how it works, and why. This course is also useful for students who are considering more formal training in the coaching field.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-4625
Building Relationships for Impact
Elizabeth Rachel Johnson AB, Doctoral Candidate, Harvard Business School
Bushra Guenoun AB, Doctoral Candidate, Harvard Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26858 | Section 1
Description
Have you ever wondered how to effectively build relationships in the workplace and throughout your career? Research shows that individuals who form and maintain strong mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship relationships are significantly more likely to succeed professionally. In this course, we explore each of these developmental relationships and discuss their unique benefits, challenges, and opportunities. We begin by focusing on how you can make the most of these developmental relationships when you are in the learning position (mentee, coachee, or sponsee). We address questions such as: what are the best ways to network so you can build development relationships? Once you are in a meeting with a mentor, coach, or sponsor, what are the right questions to ask them? How do you know when to start or end a developmental relationship? Then, we shift focus and learn how to be an effective mentor, coach, and sponsor to others. We discuss questions such as: how do you give good advice? How do you recognize the type of support that your mentee, coachee, or sponsee needs? How do you evaluate your performance as a mentor, coach, or sponsor? Finally, we discuss how organizational structures affect the extent to which these relationships can be successful. We answer questions such as: when do formalized mentorship or coaching programs work? How should these programs be designed to optimize outcomes? This course is designed to introduce you to different forms of and perspectives on developmental relationships so that you can understand the unique value of different types of developmental relationships in the workplace; learn how to create and make the most of developmental relationships when you are in the learning position; discover how to become a more effective leader by strengthening your mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship skills; and understand how organizational structures can affect developmental relationships within an organization.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5000
Strategic Management
Joshua Brand MBA, Senior Director of Corporate Learning, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17278 | Section 1
Description
To succeed in the future, managers must develop the resources and capabilities needed to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets both traditional and emerging. The way in which organizations attempt to develop such competitive advantage constitutes the essence of their strategy. This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an organization, the environment (social, political, technological, economic, and global factors), industry and market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development and successful implementation of strategy in different types of firms across industries.
Prerequisites: Course work in accounting and two other functional areas.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5000
Strategic Management
Kenneth M. Baylor DBA, Principal, Advanced Leadership Solutions, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13351 | Section 2
Description
To succeed in the future, managers must develop the resources and capabilities needed to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets both traditional and emerging. The way in which organizations attempt to develop such competitive advantage constitutes the essence of their strategy. This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an organization, the environment (social, political, technological, economic, and global factors), industry and market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development and successful implementation of strategy in different types of firms across industries.
Prerequisites: Course work in accounting and two other functional areas.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5000
Strategic Management
Areen Shahbari MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Cactus International and Principal, Shahbari Training and Consultancy
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23354 | Section 1
Description
To succeed in the future, managers must develop the resources and capabilities needed to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets both traditional and emerging. The way in which organizations attempt to develop such competitive advantage constitutes the essence of their strategy. This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an organization, the environment (social, political, technological, economic, and global factors), industry and market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development and successful implementation of strategy in different types of firms across industries.
Prerequisites: Course work in accounting and two other functional areas.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5000
Strategic Management
Shawn P. O’Connor MBA, JD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DWUS, Inc.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26554 | Section 2
Description
To succeed in the future, managers must develop the resources and capabilities needed to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets both traditional and emerging. The way in which organizations attempt to develop such competitive advantage constitutes the essence of their strategy. This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an organization, the environment (social, political, technological, economic, and global factors), industry and market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development and successful implementation of strategy in different types of firms across industries.
Prerequisites: Course work in accounting and two other functional areas.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 37 students
MGMT E-5000
Strategic Management
Kenneth M. Baylor DBA, Principal, Advanced Leadership Solutions, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25344 | Section 3
Description
To succeed in the future, managers must develop the resources and capabilities needed to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets both traditional and emerging. The way in which organizations attempt to develop such competitive advantage constitutes the essence of their strategy. This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an organization, the environment (social, political, technological, economic, and global factors), industry and market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development and successful implementation of strategy in different types of firms across industries.
Prerequisites: Registration in this section of MGMT E-5000 is restricted to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, management.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5000
Strategic Management
Henrik Totterman DSc, Professor of Practice, Entrepreneurship and Management, Hult International Business School and Chief Executive Officer, Lead X3M, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26923 | Section 4
Description
To succeed in the future, managers must develop the resources and capabilities needed to gain and sustain advantage in competitive markets both traditional and emerging. The way in which organizations attempt to develop such competitive advantage constitutes the essence of their strategy. This course introduces the concept of strategic management through case analyses, and considers the basic direction and goals of an organization, the environment (social, political, technological, economic, and global factors), industry and market structure, and organizational strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis is on the development and successful implementation of strategy in different types of firms across industries.
Prerequisites: Course work in accounting and two other functional areas.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5005
Corporate Strategy
Eric H. Chung MBA, Partner, Energy and Utilities, West Monroe
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24503 | Section 1
Description
This course deals with understanding the value created by managing multiple lines of businesses under the ownership of one corporate umbrella that is, a diversified firm. The ultimate goal is to create what we call a corporate advantage by anticipating the challenges a firm faces in managing its diverse businesses, assessing its future performance, and developing alternative strategies. The recognition, development, and deployment of resources across these diverse businesses play a key role in corporate strategy formulation. Limits to firm growth are recognized, specifying boundary conditions of corporate strategy. Business portfolio methodologies are applied to define strategic business units, determine their fit within the corporate parent, allocate resources among them, and influence their corporate development approach. Mergers and acquisitions, decision making, and transformation are also covered as critical issues in corporate strategy.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5008
Mastering Foresight: Scenario-Based Planning
Robin Champ MA, Vice President, Strategic Foresight, LBL Strategies
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26849 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed for professionals looking to build competency in strategic foresight by learning about and practicing the most widely used foresight tool: scenario-based planning. As opposed to forecasting, which seeks to predict one likely event, scenario-based planning is a foresight tool that explores many possible future outcomes to help organizations identify the capabilities necessary to prepare for an uncertain future. During the course, students learn how to construct scenarios and conduct workshops to yield creative solutions and leverage tools to analyze capabilities for investment. This course helps students develop foresight and scenario-based planning competencies, including scanning for signals and trends in the environment, leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) for scenario development, and learning how to use key strategic tools to effectively assess an organization’s possible future environments. Students are able to translate capabilities that may be needed in the future to strategy and prioritize projects to drive the right outcomes. Students learn to describe the vital role foresight plays in strategic planning and execution, while selecting the future capabilities that matter most.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5013
Applied Systems Design and Thinking
Jacob Hale PhD, Associate Principal Designer, People Rocket
Tessa Tzeitel Forshaw MA, Doctoral Candidate, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17062 | Section 1
Description
Systems make the water you drink, the health care you access, the businesses you work in, and the products you buy. Yet as a society, we tend to promote siloed and linear thinking that contributes to rising challenges facing these systems and others. In this course, we aim to shift this paradigm by positioning (good) system design as the outcome of rewiring our mental models to see everything as systems. System design and the cognitive approach of systems thinking plays a critical role in developing holistic and sustainable solutions to problems faced in the many systems in our society. Throughout the semester, students learn and implement the methodologies and frameworks of a systems thinker to analyze, design, and measure systems and their effectiveness. Students refine their ability to learn from others, identify the rich interconnections of systems, and generate alternative system designs and innovations through ongoing collaborative coursework. This is a course designed with the practitioner in mind, where tools learned today could be applied tomorrow. It requires that students embrace the process of striking a balance between rigidity and chaos, just like the world’s best systems do.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-5015
Applied Corporate Responsibility
Brad Allen PhD, Professor of Marketing, School of Business, Plymouth State University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15748 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the role of corporate responsibility as a strategy to improve products, profits, and brand equity. The idea of corporations as simply wealth-creating organizations with no obligations to the environment is no longer acceptable. Globalization and increased transparency of corporate operations have revealed significant variations in how organizations attempt to balance the pursuit of profits and good corporate citizenship. Expectations for measurable progress of corporate environmental programs addressing natural resources, pollution controls, monitoring ethical supply chains, and expanded training of employees are growing globally. Stakeholder expectations have accelerated the need to monetize these initiatives. However, the lack of standardized methodology and metrics has resulted in confusion within many industries, hindering progress. Tracking sustainability progress within organizations has often revealed tremendous opportunities for growth.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 48 students
MGMT E-5015
Applied Corporate Responsibility
Brad Allen PhD, Professor of Marketing, School of Business, Plymouth State University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26209 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the role of corporate responsibility as a strategy to improve products, profits, and brand equity. The idea of corporations as simply wealth-creating organizations with no obligations to the environment is no longer acceptable. Globalization and increased transparency of corporate operations have revealed significant variations in how organizations attempt to balance the pursuit of profits and good corporate citizenship. Expectations for measurable progress of corporate environmental programs addressing natural resources, pollution controls, monitoring ethical supply chains, and expanded training of employees are growing globally. Stakeholder expectations have accelerated the need to monetize these initiatives. However, the lack of standardized methodology and metrics has resulted in confusion within many industries, hindering progress. Tracking sustainability progress within organizations has often revealed tremendous opportunities for growth.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-5030
Project Management
Eric Pool EdD, Human Resources Technology Analyst 2, Mayo Clinic
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17242 | Section 1
Description
This course guides students through the fundamental project management concepts, practices, and behavioral characteristics needed to successfully launch, lead, and realize benefits from projects in profit and nonprofit organizations. Effective project managers possess the skills necessary to manage teams, schedules, risks, budgets, scope, and stakeholders to produce a desired outcome. Students analyze the impact of organizational change management theory and explore project management with a practical, hands-on approach through case studies, team assignments, and individual contributions. A key and often overlooked challenge for project managers is the ability to manage without direct influence, gaining the support of stakeholders and access to resources not directly under their control. Special attention is given to critical success factors required to overcoming resistance to change. The course simulates a project in its project team framework, group accountability, and schedule deadlines.
Prerequisites: Experience working in a company or nonprofit is advisable.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 46 students
MGMT E-5030
Project Management
Shannon Pettiford MS, Senior Information Technology Program Manager, Boston Consulting Group
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16400 | Section 2
Description
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of project management, with an emphasis on the tools, techniques, and processes involved. The course provides an overview of the project management process, focusing on its lifecycle, project definition, scope, planning, and project monitoring. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic exposure to the tasks and challenges facing project managers, the tools and techniques used to manage projects, and how to analyze complex projects across multiple functions in a global environment. Project managers must have the abilities and skills to simultaneously manage their teams, schedules, risks, and resources, and deliver a successful outcome and this course is designed to help students learn to do just that. The objective of the course is to learn the skills and tools of the project management discipline, with a practical, hands-on, and real-world approach. Not to be underestimated is the challenge of managing without authority, an essential skill for project managers to gain the support of resources not directly under their management control. Most organizations are matrix-led, which means that resources are shared and temporary. The project manager must be able to use resources efficiently to achieve the goals and objectives required for a successful outcome, on time, within scope, and under budget. Regardless of one’s project management experience, this course is designed to bring project principles to life by practicing the skills and facilitation techniques in an online team environment.
Prerequisites: Experience working in a company or nonprofit is advisable.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 55 students
MGMT E-5030
Project Management
Deb Cote MA, Senior Director, Strategic Planning and Performance, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mass General Brigham
David A. Shore PhD, Adjunct Professor of Organizational Development, Business School, University of Monterrey, Mexico
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23361 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we focus on learning techniques, methodologies, and frameworks within the field of project management, with an application on the phase gate (or Waterfall) methodology. This course guides students through the fundamental project management concepts, practices, and behavioral characteristics needed to successfully launch, lead, and realize benefits from projects in profit and nonprofit organizations. Effective project managers possess the skills necessary to manage teams, schedules, risks, budgets, scope, and stakeholders to produce a desired outcome. Students analyze the impact of organizational change management theory and explore project management with a practical, hands-on approach through case studies, team assignments, and individual contributions. Special attention is given to critical success factors required to overcoming resistance to change. The course simulates a project in its project team framework, group accountability, and schedule deadlines.
Prerequisites: Experience working in a company or nonprofit is advisable.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-5030
Project Management
Tim Mills MS, Member, Board of Directors, Center for Educational Improvement and Project Management Consultant, Member, Board of Directors, 3HO Foundation and Project Management Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26852 | Section 2
Description
This course guides students through the fundamental project management concepts, best practices, and behavioral characteristics needed to successfully initiate, plan, manage, and lead projects in profit and nonprofit organizations. Successful project managers possess the skills necessary to effectively manage teams, schedules, risks, budgets, scope, and stakeholders to produce a desired outcome. Students explore project management with a practical, hands-on approach through real-world case assessments and team and individual assignments. A key and often overlooked challenge for project managers is the ability to manage without direct influence, gaining the support of stakeholders and access to resources not directly under their control. Special attention is given to critical success factors required to effectively managing projects in the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. The course simulates detailed project planning in a project team framework, group accountability, and meeting the the project sponsor’s objectives.
Prerequisites: Experience working in a company or nonprofit is advisable.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5030
Project Management
Shannon Pettiford MS, Senior Information Technology Program Manager, Boston Consulting Group
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26887 | Section 3
Description
This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of project management, with an emphasis on the tools, techniques, and processes involved. The course provides an overview of the project management process, focusing on its lifecycle, project definition, scope, planning, and project monitoring. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic exposure to the tasks and challenges facing project managers, the tools and techniques used to manage projects, and how to analyze complex projects across multiple functions in a global environment. Project managers must have the abilities and skills to simultaneously manage their teams, schedules, risks, and resources, and deliver a successful outcome and this course is designed to help students learn to do just that. The objective of the course is to learn the skills and tools of the project management discipline, with a practical, hands-on, and real-world approach. Not to be underestimated is the challenge of managing without authority, an essential skill for project managers to gain the support of resources not directly under their management control. Most organizations are matrix-led, which means that resources are shared and temporary. The project manager must be able to use resources efficiently to achieve the goals and objectives required for a successful outcome, on time, within scope, and under budget. Regardless of one’s project management experience, this course is designed to bring project principles to life by practicing the skills and facilitation techniques in an online team environment.
Prerequisites: Experience working in a company or nonprofit is advisable.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
MGMT E-5033
Supply Chain Management
Zal Phiroz PhD, President, Pier Consulting Group
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16938 | Section 1
Description
From corporate giants to small businesses, product manufacturing firms constantly strive to optimize operations and logistics techniques and practices. This course introduces the concept of supply chain management (SCM) and identifies how companies are using SCM to reduce costs and gain competitive advantage. In addition to looking at the history and evolution of SCM, we explore the relationship between domestic and foreign goods supply and how logistical efficiency, environmental factors, and strategic positioning come together to help companies compete more effectively.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5042
Agile Project Management
Shannon Pettiford MS, Senior Information Technology Program Manager, Boston Consulting Group
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16137 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we focus on learning techniques, methodologies, and frameworks within the field of project management, with an application of agile principles using the Scrum methodology. Coping with constant change has become the norm in today’s global organizations, which must continually adapt to ever-evolving environments and challenges. This course comprehensively explores agile techniques and methodologies, equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to ensure successful project outcomes, timely delivery, and enhanced team efficiency. Throughout this course, students distinguish between agile and waterfall project management methodologies, gaining insights into when to apply each approach effectively. Additionally, they evaluate how agile methodology can effectively respond to evolving stakeholder requirements. Participants develop essential project management competencies and best practices to lead agile project teams and deliver solutions with maximum effectiveness. The course delves deep into agile project management principles and practices, covering topics such as self-organizing teams, roles in project management, adaptive planning, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, issue detection and resolution, sprint execution, and retrospective analysis. Current industry trends and best practices are also explored through case studies, providing participants with a holistic view of the field. In team-based settings, participants apply the Scrum framework to understand the agile methodology’s execution better. Regardless of prior project management experience, this course is designed to breathe life into agile principles by enabling hands-on practice of essential skills and facilitation techniques within a collaborative team environment. Students may not take both ISMT E-101 (offered previously) and MGMT E-5042 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5042
Agile Project Management
Shannon Pettiford MS, Senior Information Technology Program Manager, Boston Consulting Group
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25977 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we focus on learning techniques, methodologies, and frameworks within the field of project management, with an application of agile principles using the Scrum methodology. Coping with constant change has become the norm in today’s global organizations, which must continually adapt to ever-evolving environments and challenges. This course comprehensively explores agile techniques and methodologies, equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to ensure successful project outcomes, timely delivery, and enhanced team efficiency. Throughout this course, students distinguish between agile and waterfall project management methodologies, gaining insights into when to apply each approach effectively. Additionally, they evaluate how agile methodology can effectively respond to evolving stakeholder requirements. Participants develop essential project management competencies and best practices to lead agile project teams and deliver solutions with maximum effectiveness. The course delves deep into agile project management principles and practices, covering topics such as self-organizing teams, roles in project management, adaptive planning, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, issue detection and resolution, sprint execution, and retrospective analysis. Current industry trends and best practices are also explored through case studies, providing participants with a holistic view of the field. In team-based settings, participants apply the Scrum framework to understand the agile methodology’s execution better. Regardless of prior project management experience, this course is designed to breathe life into agile principles by enabling hands-on practice of essential skills and facilitation techniques within a collaborative team environment. Students may not take both ISMT E-101 (offered previously) and MGMT E-5042 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5044
Agile Scrum Master
Chris Belknap MBA, Professional Scrum Trainer and Coach, Scrum On, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17215 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we focus on learning techniques and practices in project management, specifically focusing on the underlying principles of the Scrum framework and the Agile mindset while learning the practices applied by successful Scrum masters and teams. This course prepares students for the Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) certification, and by completing this course students receive up to two free attempts at the PSM I certification exam. In this interactive and activity-based course, students gain a strong understanding of Scrum and Agile theory and principles, the role of the Scrum master as a leader, and why each element of the Scrum framework is important for effective project and product discovery and delivery. Students leave this course with an appreciation for how to deliver value for customers, the importance of self-managing teams, the stances of a successful Scrum master (for example, coaching, facilitating, and removing impediments), and how to deal with common myths and impediments to agility. Discover why Scrum has become the most popular of all the Agile frameworks for project management, used by more than 12 million people daily, and is employed in many industries such as software, marketing, human resources, data science, and biotechnology.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5060
Operations Management
Zal Phiroz PhD, President, Pier Consulting Group
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26581 | Section 1
Description
The role of operations management in business is critical. Every organization, irrespective of size, geography, and industry, aims to compete through operational techniques, cost management, and production growth. The successful management of operations in business is essential in driving organizational success and performance. This course provides a hands-on study of operations management, specifically focusing on the areas that businesses implement. Students explore the design, execution, and improvement of operational business processes through key concepts including supply chain management, sustainability, production planning, and inventory management. Emphasis is placed on the strategic role of operations in measuring performance and achieving organizational success across a variety of industries. Through guest lectures, case studies, and practical applications, students learn to analyze operational challenges, implement effective solutions, and utilize data-driven decision-making tools.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-5073
Storytelling with Data
Stacey Gelsheimer PhD, Senior Lecturer on Economics, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17254 | Section 1
Description
The course begins with a close-up look at raw data and an overview of the various types of data/information that exist in the real world. We then discuss how different types of data are better summarized and visualized with different techniques. Building on this foundation, students explore narrative construction techniques, discovering how to structure information flow and emphasize key points to create cohesive stories from the raw data. Throughout the course, students develop proficiency in both Excel and Tableau Public, a free data visualization tool and community of data enthusiasts. These tools enable students to create visually appealing and interactive presentations. They also learn how to tailor their message to different audiences through audience analysis, considering factors such as expertise level and specific interests. Ethical considerations in data storytelling are discussed, including the importance of accuracy, transparency, and responsible data use to avoid misleading interpretations. This also enable students to detect when others may be using visualizations in a misleading way. Practical application of learned concepts are facilitated through hands-on projects, where students work with real-world datasets to create data-driven narratives addressing relevant issues or topics. By the end of the course, students have gained the skills and confidence to effectively communicate complex data concepts through compelling storytelling across various mediums, including presentations, reports, infographics, and interactive online platforms. They also develop a critical mindset, enabling them to evaluate data sources, identify biases, and continuously improve their data storytelling capabilities in an evolving landscape.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5080
Elevating Management Using AI and Machine Learning
Phil Bangayan MBA, Principal Data Scientist, Teradata
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17263 | Section 1
Description
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have long transformed the way companies do business, interact with customers, innovate, and succeed in ever-competitive landscapes. Yet exposure to these concepts has been reserved to technical people with computer programming backgrounds. This course democratizes this knowledge and introduces businesspeople to advanced analytics methods through a much more familiar spreadsheet format, rather than programming languages. This approach eliminates the need for complex mathematics and instead uses conceptual explanations to answer universal business questions. Students perform analyses and make predictions in Excel (with appropriate add-ons) on finance, marketing, and operations examples. Upon completing this course, students can better guide and interact with their machine learning counterparts to make informed, data-driven business decisions.
Prerequisites: High school algebra, basic probability, spreadsheet knowledge, and the ability to form and communicate logical recommendations in a written format such as a memo.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5082
Leading the Artificial Intelligence Revolution
Mark Esposito PhD, Professor of Business and Economics, Hult International Business School and Faculty Associate, Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26864 | Section 1
Description
Artificial intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of business leaders, scientists, and engineers worldwide. Across industries leaders are seeking ways to create value through machine learning and other frontier technologies. Companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Alibaba have made commercial strides into AI from smart bots to facial recognition to semantic analysis. Others like GE and Siemens are dedicating a large share of their research and development to the AI-fueled industrial internet. Today, OpenAI and Nvidia are building enormous momentum and crafting the AI landscape, permanently. If framed correctly, the opportunities for smart applications abound. For example, there is potential to mitigate climate change via autonomous transportation, or develop better preventative health care through predictive modeling. This course is designed to teach the management and application of AI in the global business world. This course covers frontier technologies’ implications, applications, and opportunities in both public and private sectors. Students also learn to determine when to pursue new technologies and how to implement them for organizational purposes.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, March 24-May 17, 2:00pm-4:15pm
Term Start Date: March 24, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5090
Crisis Management and Emergency Preparedness
Arnold M. Howitt PhD, Faculty Co-director, Program on Crisis Leadership and Senior Fellow, Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26210 | Section 1
Description
As the world’s struggles with COVID-19 show, crises challenge individuals and organizations to respond creatively to high-stakes and novel circumstances. Today not only traditional emergency responders (police, firefighters, and emergency medical teams) must be ready for crises, but also private and nonprofit organizations, as well as a wider spectrum of public sector responders (for example, public health, transportation, and public works). Through study of cases of a range of actual crises and of conceptual frameworks for understanding the dynamics of crises, this course takes a managerial perspective on crisis management and emergency preparedness. It focuses both on what responders must do during the critical period of crisis response and on how organizations can prepare themselves for high performance in these situations. It examines how individuals and groups make decisions in crises, identifies the skills and management systems crises demand, considers the differences between managing routine emergencies and crises, and asks how organizations can effectively prepare for crises in advance.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5100
Essentials of Management
Carmine P. Gibaldi EdD, Professor of Management and Organizational Psychology, St. John’s University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16622 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the important aspects of managing a business in a global environment. It addresses decision making in connection with communications, marketing, human relations, managing people, corporate social responsibility and managerial ethics, issues affecting efficiency, and it provides the framework for making sound decisions among competing strategic priorities and objectives. Students weigh the risks and rewards of different types of management decisions while acquiring varied business skills.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-5100
Essentials of Management
Carmine P. Gibaldi EdD, Professor of Management and Organizational Psychology, St. John’s University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24767 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the important aspects of managing a business in a global environment. It addresses decision making in connection with communications, marketing, human relations, managing people, corporate social responsibility and managerial ethics, issues affecting efficiency, and it provides the framework for making sound decisions among competing strategic priorities and objectives. Students weigh the risks and rewards of different types of management decisions while acquiring varied business skills.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5110
Business Law
Shawn P. O’Connor MBA, JD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DWUS, Inc.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26243 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the legal structure of corporations and other business forms such as partnerships and limited liability companies. Topics include the distinction between corporations and other business forms; legal separateness of business enterprises from their owners; formation of corporations; financing of corporations under federal securities law; management duties and powers; shareholder rights; fundamental changes such as mergers, sales of assets, and tender offers; and insider trading. Please note that this course provides a general legal framework and is not suited for those with a strong legal background.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5310
Leading and Managing Nonprofit Organizations
Patricia H. Deyton MDiv, Senior Advisor, Council of Women World Leaders
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26862 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introduction to the major issues and challenges leaders and managers face in increasing nonprofit organizational effectiveness. Topics include mission statements, ethics and leadership, managerial and financial controls, building organizational capacity, fundraising and revenue generation, marketing and the external environment, volunteer management, governance and boards of directors, evaluation of operations and programs, and sustainability.
Prerequisites: Experience working or volunteering in a nonprofit organization strongly preferred but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-5330
Principles and Practices of Fundraising
George T. Kosar PhD, Associate Vice President of Development, The Everglades Foundation and Associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26442 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an introduction to the field of nonprofit fundraising, also called development or advancement. It is designed for nonprofit executives and managers who are unfamiliar with development, professionals wishing to transition into the nonprofit sector, individuals seeking to get a start in the fundraising field, and others. It covers annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation fundraising, events, and crowdfunding. Topics include case statements, boards, capital campaigns, ethics, donor motivations, fundraising anxieties, volunteers, stewardship, and how to make an ask. While some attention is paid to international fundraising, the overwhelming emphasis of this course is on development practices for nonprofit organizations in the United States.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-5395
Execution is Everything: How to Build a Successful Business
Shawn P. O’Connor MBA, JD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DWUS, Inc.
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17058 | Section 1
Description
While many aspiring entrepreneurs spend months or even years agonizing about the idea for their new venture, the vast majority of new business ventures fail. This is because aspiring entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of execution. In this course, students learn how to assemble, grow, and develop the ideal team; how, when, and from whom to raise capital; how to choose the best legal structures and contracting practices for your business; how to trademark your brand and patent any inventions; how to maximize the impact of your start-up marketing spend from public relations to digital marketing; and how to most effectively and efficiently maintain the financial records of a new venture. This course also includes opportunities to put each of these skills into practice so that when students are ready to launch their business, they can maximize the probabilities of success.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 49 students
MGMT E-540
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Mike Grandinetti MBA, Adjunct Professor, School of Engineering and Faculty Lead, School of Professional Studies, Brown University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17217 | Section 1
Description
This course is designed to teach fundamental principles and best practices and methodologies for creating and scaling a successful, high-impact entrepreneurial venture. The course is highly experiential and action-based. Human-centric design and highly iterative lean/agile methodologies serve as cornerstones for this course. Students are grouped into teams around common interests and the venture creation process is walked through step by step, culminating in a pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MGMT E-5420
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Jim Fitchett MA, Co-Founder, VODA.ai
Michael J. McCarthy BS, MA
Bill Wellman MS, Founder, Personated Reality Solutions
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13355 | Section 1
Description
Innovation, globalization, and digitalization are transforming every industry. This course focuses on creating new businesses, new markets, and effectiveness through innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital capabilities. Disruptors like Uber, Airbnb and blockchain, outsiders with new, less expensive solutions for customers, threaten entire industries. Apple, Amazon, ChatGPT, and digital currencies have created uncontested markets, delivered higher value, redefined channels, and secured competitive advantages. Blockchain can transform virtually every industry. Entrepreneurs and existing firms are creating innovative environments, products, processes, services, and new business models. Incremental improvements are not enough. We examine successful strategies, business models, frameworks, funding options, barriers, and risks for introducing breakthrough products and services. Topics include business model innovation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, design thinking, lean thinking, organizational learning, agility, and fundraising.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-5420
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Jim Fitchett MA, Co-Founder, VODA.ai
Bill Wellman MS, Founder, Personated Reality Solutions
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25031 | Section 1
Description
Innovation, globalization, and digitalization are transforming every industry. This course focuses on creating new businesses, new markets, and effectiveness through innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital capabilities. Disruptors like Uber, Airbnb and blockchain, outsiders with new, less expensive solutions for customers, threaten entire industries. Apple, Amazon, ChatGPT, and digital currencies have created uncontested markets, delivered higher value, redefined channels, and secured competitive advantages. Blockchain can transform virtually every industry. Entrepreneurs and existing firms are creating innovative environments, products, processes, services, and new business models. Incremental improvements are not enough. We examine successful strategies, business models, frameworks, funding options, barriers, and risks for introducing breakthrough products and services. Topics include business model innovation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, design thinking, lean thinking, organizational learning, agility, and fundraising.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-5625
Sustainability and International Business: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies
Maurie Kelly PhD, Director of Informatics, Institutes of Energy and the Environment and Instructor, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14484 | Section 1
Description
Sustainability and sustainable development are the key issues of our time. This course examines sustainability through an international lens, exploring the most important issues that confront the world today. We discuss major challenges such as climate change, the plastic industry, chemical pollution, food and agriculture, water insecurity, fast fashion and apparel, workers’ rights, child labor, energy, and supply chains. We discuss the intersection of the social, environmental, human, and business aspects of sustainability. We explore different regions of the world and examine the challenges and opportunities across different countries and continents. We look at solutions by discussing organizations and corporations that have created sustainability focused strategies, programs, and tools. This course is designed to be highly interactive for students. A combination of discussion, lectures, guest lectures from experts in the field, and decision-making simulations allow students to immerse themselves in the issues and develop solutions to sustainability challenges. Students emerge from the course with a greater understanding of the complexity of sustainability and sustainable development; an in-depth knowledge of how issues are addressed around the world; and an understanding of the solutions, tools, frameworks, and approaches that will help build a more sustainable future.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5700
Management Consulting
Shawn P. O’Connor MBA, JD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DWUS, Inc.
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16107 | Section 1
Description
This course offers an in-depth view of the management consulting industry. Topics include the structure, conduct, and performance of the management consulting industry; firms in the industry and their competitive strategies; key strategic and organizational issues facing these firms; ideas, tools, and frameworks that these firms have put into practice; problem-solving, communication, and client relation skills that are necessary for success in the industry; management consulting careers; and ethical issues facing management consultants. Conceptual material is illustrated and applied to the real world through rigorous class discussion of business cases, examples, group and individual exercises, and students’ own business and consulting experiences. The course emphasizes hands-on practice and real-time feedback simulating an actual consulting engagement.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 48 students
MGMT E-5700
Management Consulting
Mukul Kumar PhD, Chief Innovation Officer, Hult International Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25029 | Section 1
Description
This course offers an in-depth view of the management consulting industry. Topics include the structure, conduct, and performance of the management consulting industry; firms in the industry and their competitive strategies; key strategic and organizational issues facing these firms; ideas, tools, and frameworks that these firms have put into practice; problem-solving, communication, and client relation skills that are necessary for success in the industry; management consulting careers; and ethical issues facing management consultants. Conceptual material is illustrated and applied to the real world through rigorous class discussion of business cases, examples, group and individual exercises, and students’ own business and consulting experiences. The course emphasizes hands-on practice and real-time feedback simulating an actual consulting engagement.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, January 27-March 15, 2:00pm-4:15pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-5750
The Art and Science of Decision Making
Rob Duboff JD, Co-Founder, HawkPartners, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26487 | Section 1
Description
This course helps students become aware of the factors that really influence decision outcomes. Using cases, readings about the latest scientific research, and discussions, students get both practical and academic insights. They should become better at making decisions and much better at understanding and influencing how others decide.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-5806
Real Estate Development
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16934 | Section 1
Description
Real estate development is the process by which ingenuity and financial capital are transformed into the built environments that shapes our cities and lives. This course takes students through the real estate development process. Starting with inception phase, we walk through the processes of market research, site selection, and working with public and private stakeholders to develop a concept plan for a site. Throughout that process, students learn how developers perform due diligence and manage risks in the pre-development phase. Students practice and implement a series of key financial frameworks for conducting rigorous feasibility analysis. They also learn how developers raise capital through construction loans and complex joint venture partnerships. We explore the regulatory approval process and how successful developers navigate it. Students study construction cost estimating and how to manage the physical construction of the project, including a variety of delivery methods, risk sharing agreements, and the contracts that govern them. Students learn how to undertake multi-phase developments and obtain the special financing they require. At every stage, we learn to balance risk and reward, with a focus on generating investment returns while making a lasting, positive impact on our cities.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2035 strongly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
MGMT E-5806
Real Estate Development
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26506 | Section 1
Description
Real estate development is the process by which ingenuity and financial capital are transformed into the built environments that shapes our cities and lives. This course takes students through the real estate development process. Starting with inception phase, we walk through the processes of market research, site selection, and working with public and private stakeholders to develop a concept plan for a site. Throughout that process, students learn how developers perform due diligence and manage risks in the pre-development phase. Students practice and implement a series of key financial frameworks for conducting rigorous feasibility analysis. They also learn how developers raise capital through construction loans and complex joint venture partnerships. We explore the regulatory approval process and how successful developers navigate it. Students study construction cost estimating and how to manage the physical construction of the project, including a variety of delivery methods, risk sharing agreements, and the contracts that govern them. Students learn how to undertake multi-phase developments and obtain the special financing they require. At every stage, we learn to balance risk and reward, with a focus on generating investment returns while making a lasting, positive impact on our cities.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-2035 strongly recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MGMT E-597
Precapstone in Management: Entrepreneurship in Action
Henrik Totterman DSc, Professor of Practice, Entrepreneurship and Management, Hult International Business School and Chief Executive Officer, Lead X3M, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25671 | Section 1
Description
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the underlying dynamics of entrepreneurial business. It is mandatory for capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, management who wish to register for MGMT S-599 in the following Harvard Summer School term. The course is focused on flexibility, innovation, resource management, and responsiveness when starting and operating high growth potential ventures, which are required skills when taking the capstone course.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in the in the Master of Liberal Arts, management, capstone track. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing and have completed the seven core courses and plan to take the capstone, MGMT S-599, which they must enroll in the upcoming Harvard Summer School term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-6000
Marketing Management
Patricia L. Hambrick MBA, Master Lecturer, Marketing, Questrom School of Business, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16518 | Section 1
Description
In this comprehensive and practical introduction to marketing management, students improve their ability to make effective marketing decisions, including assessing marketing opportunities and developing marketing strategies and implementation plans. Course topics include market-oriented strategic planning, marketing research and information systems, buyer behavior, target market selection, competitive positioning, product and service planning and management, pricing, distribution, and integrated communications including advertising, public relations, internet marketing, social media, direct marketing, and sales promotions. Through a combination of interactive discussions, cases, practical examples, individual assignments, and a group project, the course applies marketing topics to consumer and business-to-business products, services, and nonprofit organizations. Students gain significant experience in communicating and defending their marketing recommendations and building on the ideas of others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MGMT E-6000
Marketing Management
Mike Grandinetti MBA, Adjunct Professor, School of Engineering and Faculty Lead, School of Professional Studies, Brown University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16975 | Section 2
Description
In this comprehensive and practical introduction to marketing management, students improve their ability to make effective marketing decisions, including assessing marketing opportunities and developing marketing strategies and implementation plans. Course topics include market-oriented strategic planning, marketing research and information systems, buyer behavior, target market selection, competitive positioning, product and service planning and management, pricing, distribution, and integrated communications including advertising, public relations, internet marketing, social media, direct marketing, and sales promotions. Through a combination of interactive discussions, cases, practical examples, individual assignments, and a group project, the course applies marketing topics to consumer and business-to-business products, services, and nonprofit organizations. Students gain significant experience in communicating and defending their marketing recommendations and building on the ideas of others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-6000
Marketing Management
Scott Mantie PhD, Interim Executive Director and Associate Professor of Marketing, Applied School of Business, Plymouth State University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15726 | Section 3
Description
In this comprehensive and practical introduction to marketing management, students improve their ability to make effective marketing decisions, including assessing marketing opportunities and developing marketing strategies and implementation plans. Course topics include market-oriented strategic planning, marketing research and information systems, buyer behavior, target market selection, competitive positioning, product and service planning and management, pricing, distribution, and integrated communications including advertising, public relations, internet marketing, social media, direct marketing, and sales promotions. Through a combination of interactive discussions, cases, practical examples, individual assignments, and a group project, the course applies marketing topics to consumer and business-to-business products, services, and nonprofit organizations. Students gain significant experience in communicating and defending their marketing recommendations and building on the ideas of others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-6000
Marketing Management
Shawn P. O’Connor MBA, JD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DWUS, Inc.
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25786 | Section 1
Description
In this comprehensive and practical introduction to marketing management, students improve their ability to make effective marketing decisions, including assessing marketing opportunities and developing marketing strategies and implementation plans. Course topics include market-oriented strategic planning, marketing research and information systems, buyer behavior, target market selection, competitive positioning, product and service planning and management, pricing, distribution, and integrated communications including advertising, public relations, internet marketing, social media, direct marketing, and sales promotions. Through a combination of interactive discussions, cases, practical examples, individual assignments, and a group project, the course applies marketing topics to consumer and business-to-business products, services, and nonprofit organizations. Students gain significant experience in communicating and defending their marketing recommendations and building on the ideas of others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-6000
Marketing Management
Scott Mantie PhD, Interim Executive Director and Associate Professor of Marketing, Applied School of Business, Plymouth State University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24308 | Section 2
Description
In this comprehensive and practical introduction to marketing management, students improve their ability to make effective marketing decisions, including assessing marketing opportunities and developing marketing strategies and implementation plans. Course topics include market-oriented strategic planning, marketing research and information systems, buyer behavior, target market selection, competitive positioning, product and service planning and management, pricing, distribution, and integrated communications including advertising, public relations, internet marketing, social media, direct marketing, and sales promotions. Through a combination of interactive discussions, cases, practical examples, individual assignments, and a group project, the course applies marketing topics to consumer and business-to-business products, services, and nonprofit organizations. Students gain significant experience in communicating and defending their marketing recommendations and building on the ideas of others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
MGMT E-6100
Branding Strategy
Patricia L. Hambrick MBA, Master Lecturer, Marketing, Questrom School of Business, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17210 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the principles and practices of brand management. The course content focuses on applied strategies and tactics used by marketers to build and reinforce successful global brands for products, services, and corporate social responsibility.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-6100
Branding Strategy
Thomas Murphy MBA, Professor of Practice, Graduate School of Management, Clark University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24567 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the principles and practices of brand management. The course content focuses on applied strategies and tactics used by marketers to build and reinforce successful global brands for products, services, and corporate social responsibility.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-6605
Luxury Marketing
Sandrine Crener PhD, Partner, 4 Art Partners
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16108 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to the marketing of luxury goods and services. The luxury industry is unlike any other; it is an inspiring and fascinating world that involves a diverse group of competitors. On the supply side, it encompasses a broad range of sectors from hotels to real estate, yachts to private jets, fashion to jewelry, and pits small independent businesses against established multinational conglomerates. On the market side, luxury consumers are extremely demanding and sophisticated; luxury goods and services must not only be of exceptional quality but also provide a complex set of functional, social, and emotional benefits to consumers. The course explores the origin, history, and evolution of luxury and gives an overview of the global luxury industry including markets, major players, and trends. Then it highlights the specificities of marketing in the luxury sector. Luxury brands are an entirely different proposition and require a very specific approach to brand management and marketing. They notably have to manage a number of inherent paradoxes and tensions. We discuss differences in mass versus luxury marketing approaches. The course also focuses on examining the main challenges with which luxury brands are currently confronted.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-6000, MGMT E-6615, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-6615
Digital Marketing: Foundations and Framework for Success
Greg O’Brien DBA, Senior Advisor, McKinsey Company
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17214 | Section 1
Description
Marketing has become digital marketing, with digital ads (as a function of all advertising spending) growing at roughly 15-20 percent annually, and recently having taken over traditional advertising (broadcast television and radio) when measured by ad spend. This course teaches students the foundation elements of digital marketing and advertising from media mix and channels to techniques, economics, and measurement. We review key performance metrics for digital marketing channels including paid search, organic search, e-mail, social, and display. We review techniques and tools for optimizing digital marketing spend across various channels and products.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-6000, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-6615
Digital Marketing: Foundations and Framework for Success
Andrew M. Blum MBA, Instructor of the Practice, Business Communications, Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Fairfield University and Lecturer of Marketing, Columbia University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25665 | Section 1
Description
Marketing has become digital marketing, with digital ads (as a function of all advertising spending) growing at roughly 15-20 percent annually, and recently having taken over traditional advertising (broadcast television and radio) when measured by ad spend. This course teaches students the foundation elements of digital marketing and advertising from media mix and channels to techniques, economics, and measurement. We review key performance metrics for digital marketing channels including paid search, organic search, e-mail, social, and display. We review techniques and tools for optimizing digital marketing spend across various channels and products.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-6000, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-6620
Digital Marketing in the Age of AI
Christina J. Inge EdD, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Thoughtlight
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17236 | Section 1
Description
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly dominating various business functions, with marketing being no exception. From crafting advertisements to developing websites, AI impacts every aspect of creative work. Notably, AI now plays a role in strategic decisions, spanning from campaign inception to product management. In this course, we explore the current role of AI in content-driven digital marketing with a view towards creating marketing strategies that include the most effective uses of AI. Going channel by channel, we learn about tools for refining content, designing visuals, and automating our marketing, all while staying sane. We learn about the impact and current use of AI across a range of marketing channels, such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media, and content marketing. Through case studies of leading companies such as Coca-Cola and Mercedes, we learn how brands are using AI in forecasting and analytics, as well as for voice of the customer data. We then explore applications of AI to content design. AI ethics are a focal point as we explore algorithmic sources of bias in content, ad targeting, and job displacement and creation.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 43 students
MGMT E-6630
Sustainability Marketing and Branding
Thomas Murphy MBA, Professor of Practice, Graduate School of Management, Clark University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15433 | Section 1
Description
This course develops the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully market sustainable products and services. At the end of the course students are able to understand the key elements of developing a successful marketing strategy and branding approach for a sustainable market offering. The course also reviews global trends and issues that influence sustainable product success.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-6615 or the equivalent. Introductory marketing or management course or one year of work experience in a business-to-business, business-to-consumer, or nonprofit organization.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-6750
Marketing Analytics: Fundamental Data-Driven Marketing
Christina J. Inge EdD, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Thoughtlight
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24774 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces marketing analytics for non-technical audiences, including web analytics and data modeling. As big data moves into the mainstream, marketers are seeing the opportunity to make the profession more scientific and numbers-driven than ever before. Marketing analytics is one of the largest areas of marketing today. In addition, with measurement at the center of every marketing campaign, marketers have the opportunity to prove the return on investment of their programs with unprecedented accuracy. Yet, this wealth of data can be overwhelming. Every channel has its own metrics, every demographic group’s behavior can be mined for targeting information. What are the numbers that matter? And what are they really telling us? How can we best leverage marketing analytics to optimize results? This course explores the growing role of data in marketing. Taking a two-fold approach, the course focuses on the data of marketing. Students learn how to use the two main categories of data available to marketers: internal, or what is called marketing analytics; and external, or big data. In this course, students learn web analytics fundamentals, creating data dashboards, and predictive analytics. This is a purely data-driven course; it does not teach programming. Using real-world examples and practical exercises, the course allows students to understand the interactions between both kinds of data, and how best to use analytics to improve marketing outcomes, demonstrate return on investment to the c-suite, and create increasingly effective marketing campaigns.
Prerequisites: MGMT E-6000, MGMT E-6615, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-6800
Professional Selling and Sales Management
John Westman MA, MBA, Vice President, Citius Pharmaceuticals
Michael J. McCarthy BS, MA
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24321 | Section 1
Description
Do you want to improve your persuasion skills? Would you like to study and apply approaches that drive sales and sales management success? Would you like to join a community of continual learners who strive to help others perform even better? This highly interactive, high energy, action-oriented course is designed based on accelerated learning and distance learning best practices and is improved each year based on student feedback. Topics include ideal customers, sales process, buying process, prospecting, negotiating, and closing, as well as motivating, compensating, coaching, and training salespeople. Teaching methods include student presentations and real-life cases, techniques such as the persuasion equation, the trust call, why/how/what statements, and guest speakers.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-7001
Economic Tools for Business Decision-Making
Dan Deneffe PhD, Managing Director, Deneffe Consulting, and Professor of Economics and Strategy, Hult International Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17054 | Section 1
Description
The key distinctive feature of this highly interactive course is that students discover how to use and apply practical, relevant microeconomic tools to make better company decisions. The ability to do so has been proven to be widely effective at improving company bottom-line performance based on numerous real-world strategy, quantitative marketing, and pricing projects. Through practical team exercises, experiments, short cases, and simulations of problems drawn from real-world projects, students learn how to tailor and tweak core microeconomic and game-theoretic concepts and drive results. Students understand how to do so in environments where informational assumptions of microeconomic textbooks rarely hold and where companies and competitors are not as rational as the theory portrays. At the end of the weekend, students leave with a set of effective tools for making evidence-based and customer-centric decisions in the areas of market creation and launch strategy, pricing strategy and tactics, and bid preparation and execution in tenders and auctions.
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a B or higher grade in ECON E-1010, ECON E-1600, ECON E-1615 or MGMT S-8010 in order to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 1, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, November 2, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, November 3, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7001
Economic Tools for Business Decision-Making
Dan Deneffe PhD, Managing Director, Deneffe Consulting, and Professor of Economics and Strategy, Hult International Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26693 | Section 1
Description
The key distinctive feature of this highly interactive course is that students discover how to use and apply practical, relevant microeconomic tools to make better company decisions. The ability to do so has been proven to be widely effective at improving company bottom-line performance based on numerous real-world strategy, quantitative marketing, and pricing projects. Through practical team exercises, experiments, short cases, and simulations of problems drawn from real-world projects, students learn how to tailor and tweak core microeconomic and game-theoretic concepts and drive results. Students understand how to do so in environments where informational assumptions of microeconomic textbooks rarely hold and where companies and competitors are not as rational as the theory portrays. At the end of the weekend, students leave with a set of effective tools for making evidence-based and customer-centric decisions in the areas of market creation and launch strategy, pricing strategy and tactics, and bid preparation and execution in tenders and auctions.
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a B or higher grade in ECON E-1010, ECON E-1600, ECON E-1615 or MGMT S-8010 in order to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 203
Saturday, March 29, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Sunday, March 30, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Term Start Date: March 28, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7035
Emerging Markets: Active Learning Weekend
Peter Marber PhD, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets, Aperture Investors, and Adjunct Instructor, Finance, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17052 | Section 1
Description
What makes investing in emerging markets countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe different from investing in developed markets in the United States, West Europe, or Japan? What are the benefits of adding these markets to a traditional investment portfolio? How have these markets been shaped by COVID-19 and the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine? How do frontier markets fit into the mix? As a companion course to ECON E-1925, this active learning weekend helps explore emerging markets through a mix of guest speakers, case studies, and problem sets. Students strengthen their quantitative and qualitative skills to improve their investment acumen in these burgeoning markets. Over the weekend, the course dive deep into the practical aspects and limitations of trading and investing in the asset mix covered in ECON E-1925 as both an individual and institutional investor. Students examine investment indices and strategies that professional investors use to outperform them. We also investigate the rise of China and state capitalism, and how this trend may rival traditional market-based systems. Students may not take both ECON E-1925w (offered previously) and MGMT E-7035 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, October 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, October 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: October 11, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-7037
Disrupting Economics: New Metrics for a Sustainable Future
Peter Marber PhD, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets, Aperture Investors, and Adjunct Instructor, Finance, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17248 | Section 1
Description
Protests over government policies have become more commonplace in both advanced and emerging countries around the world. Angry citizens complain about a wide range issues including inequality, privacy, democracy, immigration, trade, job security, health care, and climate change. Are governments really failing to deliver what societies need and citizens want? Perhaps the answer lies in the way success is measured. Amid globalization and the rise of the digital economy, traditional economic measures like gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment, and stock market performance may be leaving governments and citizens with a distorted worldview and a shaky foundation for policy decisions. This course investigates limitations with conventional yardsticks used for assessing national output, employment, inflation, productivity, and trade, and asks what components of a successful society we fail to measure at all. Public policies that are based on inaccurate or incomplete data are likely to have unintended consequences leading to financial meltdowns, environmental degradation, economic inequality, and pandemics. Moreover, failing to fully account for true costs can skew individual, corporate, and governmental behavior towards short-term versus sustainability. As a response, many scholars from economists to sociologists are formulating new metrics and new philosophies to address such concerns and to utilize the unprecedented amount of data now available for analysis. This course hopes to inspire social entrepreneurs to develop innovative, superior, and sustainable approaches to economics and finance that make the world better for all.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 18, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, October 19, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, October 20, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: October 18, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-7037
Disrupting Economics: New Metrics for a Sustainable Future
Peter Marber PhD, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets, Aperture Investors, and Adjunct Instructor, Finance, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26889 | Section 1
Description
Protests over government policies have become more commonplace in both advanced and emerging countries around the world. Angry citizens complain about a wide range issues including inequality, privacy, democracy, immigration, trade, job security, health care, and climate change. Are governments really failing to deliver what societies need and citizens want? Perhaps the answer lies in the way success is measured. Amid globalization and the rise of the digital economy, traditional economic measures like gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment, and stock market performance may be leaving governments and citizens with a distorted worldview and a shaky foundation for policy decisions. This course investigates limitations with conventional yardsticks used for assessing national output, employment, inflation, productivity, and trade, and asks what components of a successful society we fail to measure at all. Public policies that are based on inaccurate or incomplete data are likely to have unintended consequences leading to financial meltdowns, environmental degradation, economic inequality, and pandemics. Moreover, failing to fully account for true costs can skew individual, corporate, and governmental behavior towards short-term versus sustainability. As a response, many scholars from economists to sociologists are formulating new metrics and new philosophies to address such concerns and to utilize the unprecedented amount of data now available for analysis. This course hopes to inspire social entrepreneurs to develop innovative, superior, and sustainable approaches to economics and finance that make the world better for all.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, February 21, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, February 22, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, February 23, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: February 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-7093
Applied Behavioral Economics and Decision Making
David S. McIntosh MBA, Founder, Creative Business Breakthroughs
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26695 | Section 1
Description
A hands-on workshop for students to apply the concepts and tools of behavioral economics to problems in areas such as finance, marketing, and health care. Following in-class discussions of best practices for nudges and other interventions, students work in teams to analyze a situation where behavioral factors are preventing optimal outcomes and propose specific steps to improve the outcomes for one or more of the parties involved.
Prerequisites: Students should have some familiarity with behavioral economics.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, February 7, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Saturday, February 8, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Sunday, February 9, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: February 07, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 24 students
MGMT E-7235
Investing in Real Estate
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17049 | Section 1
Description
This on-campus, active learning weekend is an immersive learning experience for students who want to invest in real estate. Students participate in a property investment simulation based on real-life assets in the Harvard Square area. Working in teams, students gain hands-on experience in conducting market research, identifying acquisition targets, performing financial due diligence, and developing persuasive investment proposals. At the end of the weekend, teams present their investment opportunities to the class, exposing students to a variety of presentation styles and techniques that can strengthen their own investment pitches in the future. Augmented by Harvard Business School case studies, the experience takes students from Harvard’s campus into the neighborhoods beyond as they practice market analysis and real estate investment decision-making. Students may not take both MGMT E-2035w (offered previously) and MGMT E-7235 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Current or previous enrollment in MGMT E-2035 is recommended, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 8, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 203
Saturday, November 9, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Sunday, November 10, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Term Start Date: November 08, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
MGMT E-7235
Investing in Real Estate
Teo Nicolais MS, President, Nicolais, LLC
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26681 | Section 1
Description
This on-campus, active learning weekend is an immersive learning experience for students who want to invest in real estate. Students participate in a property investment simulation based on real-life assets in the Harvard Square area. Working in teams, students gain hands-on experience in conducting market research, identifying acquisition targets, performing financial due diligence, and developing persuasive investment proposals. At the end of the weekend, teams present their investment opportunities to the class, exposing students to a variety of presentation styles and techniques that can strengthen their own investment pitches in the future. Augmented by Harvard Business School case studies, the experience takes students from Harvard’s campus into the neighborhoods beyond as they practice market analysis and real estate investment decision-making. Students may not take both MGMT E-2035w (offered previously) and MGMT E-7235 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Current or previous enrollment in MGMT E-2035 is recommended, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 203
Saturday, April 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Sunday, April 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Term Start Date: April 11, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
MGMT E-7285
Hedge Funds: Active Learning Weekend
Peter Marber PhD, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets, Aperture Investors, and Adjunct Instructor, Finance, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26683 | Section 1
Description
While beating the markets was long thought to be impossible, hedge funds have seemingly challenged many financial theories, cracked the mysteries of Wall Street, and made fortunes in the process. They are also one of the fastest growing and least understood areas in the asset management industry. What exactly are hedge funds? How has the sector developed? What are the major hedge fund strategies and their mechanics? What are their hidden risks and unique limitations? This active learning weekend complements the full term course MGMT E-2784 and helps students develop an understanding of how hedge fund managers, as well as hedge fund investors, think, operate, and invest. The weekend features a variety of guest speakers, case studies, and other activities to further enhance concepts introduced in MGMT E-2784. Students may not take both MGMT E-2784w (offered previously) and MGMT E-7285 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, February 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, March 1, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, March 2, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: February 28, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
MGMT E-7405
Emotional Intelligence for Impact
Laura Elisabeth Wilcox MA, Director of Management Programs, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17056 | Section 1
Description
This applied active learning weekend focuses on the role emotional intelligence plays in leadership and in decision making. Students apply emotional intelligence concepts to real-world situations through engaging exercises, in-class discussions, and case studies. In addition, students learn how to identify their own emotional patterns and triggers as well as those in others. At the end of the weekend, students leave with tools for managing derailing emotions, a strategy for connecting with others, and a better appreciation for the role emotional intelligence plays in how we think and lead in our personal and professional life.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 18, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, October 19, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, October 20, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: October 18, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
MGMT E-7405
Emotional Intelligence for Impact
Laura Elisabeth Wilcox MA, Director of Management Programs, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26696 | Section 1
Description
This applied active learning weekend focuses on the role emotional intelligence plays in leadership and in decision making. Students apply emotional intelligence concepts to real-world situations through engaging exercises, in-class discussions, and case studies. In addition, students learn how to identify their own emotional patterns and triggers as well as those in others. At the end of the weekend, students leave with tools for managing derailing emotions, a strategy for connecting with others, and a better appreciation for the role emotional intelligence plays in how we think and lead in our personal and professional life.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 25, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, April 26, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, April 27, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: April 25, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7412
Leadership in Teams and Organizations
Lee Bolman PhD, Professor and Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership Emeritus, Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri – Kansas City
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26691 | Section 1
Description
Students participate in a series of individual and team activities challenging their skills and strategies in leadership, influence, and negotiation. Learning is primarily experiential, augmented by timely conceptual discussions. Students have rich opportunities for personal reflection and feedback.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, January 17, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, January 18, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, January 19, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 17, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7412
Leadership in Teams and Organizations
Lee Bolman PhD, Professor and Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership Emeritus, Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri – Kansas City
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26690 | Section 2
Description
Students participate in a series of individual and team activities challenging their skills and strategies in leadership, influence, and negotiation. Learning is primarily experiential, augmented by timely conceptual discussions. Students have rich opportunities for personal reflection and feedback.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, May 2, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, May 3, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, May 4, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: May 02, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7415
Understanding and Evolving Organizational Culture
Margaret Andrews MS, Managing Director, Higher Ed Associates and Founder, The MYLO Center
Dayna Catropa EdM, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26692 | Section 1
Description
There is a saying that culture eats strategy for breakfast, meaning that no strategy can succeed if it is not supported by an organization’s culture. Many senior executives want to change the culture of their organizations, yet the popular press tells us that a large percentage of all these initiatives fail. Why is organizational culture so difficult to change? Or is it? Using a series of cases, exercises, and large and small group discussions, we delve into organizational culture what it is, how it forms, why it can be difficult to change, and how to increase the odds of success in evolving an organizational culture.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 13-16, 9:00am-5:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 13, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7419
Forging and Sustaining a Career of Impact and Purpose
Joan V. Gallos EdD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26856 | Section 1
Description
This course explores knowledge and strategies essential for proactive career management and tackles four documented requisites for career success: identifying one’s true talents and the contributions that are only theirs to make; understanding the values that anchor one’s definition of career success; possessing the right skills to navigate organizations and human systems in a world of constant change; and finding useable strategies to manage stress, increase productivity, and avoid burnout. This active learning weekend combines timely conceptual discussions and use of diagnostic instruments, with opportunities for self-reflection, feedback, and individual and group activities designed to maximize student capacities for career success.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, May 9, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, May 10, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, May 11, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: May 09, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7421
Negotiating Your Career Success
Paula Gutlove MD, Deputy Director, Institute for Resource and Security Studies
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26694 | Section 1
Description
Today’s professionals understand that to achieve career success they need to know what they want and to be able to negotiate effectively to get it. Yet, studies show that most people embarking on their career journey are unclear about what they want and why they want it. They are reluctant, or unable, to effectively advocate for themselves. These issues can inhibit or derail a career journey, leading to dissatisfaction with roles, responsibilities, pay, and promotion. Ultimately, it can lead to career frustration and burnout. This on-campus, in-person course uses a range of interactive exercises, role plays, games, and simulations. These activities engage students in uncovering their interests, priorities, and career directions and goals. Students learn how to leverage their career assets, including their Harvard networks and career resources, to create effective negotiation opportunities. Skills development includes strategies for empowerment and self-advocacy, approaches to uncovering sources of negotiation power, and tools to recognize and create career negotiation opportunities. Students engage in exercises to develop and practice their own unique and authentic negotiation voice, putting their career journey on a path to success.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, January 21-24, 9:00am-5:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7425
Intensive Applied Negotiation
Jane Biondi JD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17246 | Section 1
Description
Most people negotiate. Many do so without understanding why they do what they do or how they actually behave during a negotiation. This course aims to improve both your understanding of negotiation and your effectiveness as a negotiator. Short readings provide frameworks for understanding negotiation. Class time includes instruction, discussion, participation in negotiation simulations, and reflection on the negotiation process. Emphasis is placed on developing an awareness of how you can improve as a negotiator. A goal of this course includes learning how to continue to evaluate and reflect on your own negotiating work. This course requires students to apply negotiation concepts immediately, by asking them to think about and plan an approach to solving a negotiation problem and then act on that plan. Because negotiation is an interactive process, students frequently need to adjust their analysis and behavior based on what others may do.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 25, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 101
Saturday, October 26, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 101
Sunday, October 27, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 101
Term Start Date: October 25, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7460
Applied Coaching
Bobbi Wegner PsyD, Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26697 | Section 1
Description
Coaching is an emerging discipline that has applications in many professional fields and even to our personal lives. Navigating this new terrain with its many different approaches can be overwhelming. In this course, students learn solid practices in coaching grounded in evidence-based psychology. Topics include: what is coaching and what it is not, how to structure a coaching relationship, how to hold a coaching stance, understanding self as coach, how to assess for readiness for change, key theories in change, basics skills in coaching, difficult situations, ethics, cross-cultural considerations, and how to terminate a coaching relationship. This course is highly self-reflective and practice-based. Students are given direct, honest feedback on strengths and areas of growth from faculty and peers.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 6-9, 9:00am-5:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 54 students
MGMT E-7482
Optimizing Leadership: Applied Strategies
Ashley Lorraine Prisant MBA, PhD, Portfolio Chief Human Resources Officer, LFM Capital
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17057 | Section 1
Description
This intensive, on-campus weekend course focuses on overcoming challenges by leading from the middle and the top. Students are trained in multiple subject matter areas including thinking and acting systematically, resiliency, communication, influence, learning agility, and self awareness, based on research developed by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). Students are also engaged in class and group breakout sessions to immediately practice and use skills learned during the course, and have access to world-class speakers and practitioners on the topics of the sessions.
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a grade of B-minus or higher in MGMT E-4000 or MGMT E-4178 in order to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, November 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: November 15, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7484
It Depends: Unpacking the Paradoxes of Leadership
Margaret Andrews MS, Managing Director, Higher Ed Associates and Founder, The MYLO Center
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26689 | Section 1
Description
Anyone that has ever been in a leadership position knows that leading people and organizations is rife with paradox. How can we transform an organization while at the same time focusing on performance? Can we change our culture and get results in the short-term? Why is it that we are often hired for our hard skills, yet get high performance from others if we use soft skills? Can we hold people accountable and treat each person as an individual? How do we make the tough calls and ensure buy-in with our decisions? The answer to these questions is “yes, and,” and “it depends” another paradox. Throughout the weekend, we use cases, vignettes, role plays, simulations, and discussion to parse many of the paradoxes of leadership.
Prerequisites: Students must have earned a grade of B or higher in MGMT E-4000, MGMT E-4030, or MGMT E-4100 in order to enroll in this course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 14, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, March 15, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, March 16, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: March 14, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MGMT E-7543
Applied Introduction to Design Thinking and Innovation
Tessa Tzeitel Forshaw MA, Doctoral Candidate, Harvard University
Richard Lee Cox Braden BSEE, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, People Rocket
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17257 | Section 1
Description
As the world changes at an unprecedented pace, ambiguity is everywhere. Design thinking, innovation, agile, and many other approaches to problem solving have never been more important. But often these methods are only accessible to an exclusive club of people who are certified in a methodology and allowed to practice design and innovation. In this course, we believe in radical access to design and innovation. We believe that for design and innovation to change the world for the better, it has to be inclusive, human centered, and accessible to everyone everywhere. In this course, students learn how to become innovative and leverage the foundational mindsets and abilities of design thinking and innovation to make change in their lives, organizations, and the world. Students may not take both MGMT E-7542 (offered previously) and MGMT E-7543 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Registration is restricted to officially admitted candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, management or industrial-organizational psychology.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, September 30-October 3, 8:30am-5:00pm, Innovation Lab 122
Term Start Date: September 30, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets on the Allston campus.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MUSE E-100
Introduction to Museum Studies
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 10207 | Section 1
Description
All museums share responsibility for preserving and interpreting our cultural and natural heritage for the benefit of the public and society. However, museums are more than the collections they house and the exhibits and programs they present. Each museum is a complex network of individuals whose common goal is to create knowledge and to share information and experiences with others. This course provides a broad introduction to the museum world. Students gain an understanding of the museum and the challenges and responsibilities that museums and their staff members encounter. After discussing what a museum is, the various types of museums, and their roles in the community, we introduce current and emerging issues in museums in a number of areas including governance, management of collections, fundraising, and museum jobs and responsibilities.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
MUSE E-102
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Research in Museum Studies
Jeffrey Robert Wilson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14775 | Section 1
Description
In this proseminar, students develop the skills necessary to engage in graduate-level research in the field of museum studies. Students read classic scholarly texts in museum studies and complete short assignments designed to hone their academic writing skills including critical reading, textual analysis, and argument development. Students also write a 10-page research essay that reflects a particular area of interest within the field of museum studies. Throughout the semester we consider the theory that informs museum practice. In particular, we examine how museums can powerfully mediate encounters with the collective past and reflect the politics of race, class, and gender as well as individual, communal, and national identities. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course, EXPO E-42a. MUSE E-100 is also recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
MUSE E-102
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Research in Museum Studies
Eleanor M. (Sis) Hight PhD, Professor of Art History and Humanities, Emerita, University of New Hampshire
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25244 | Section 1
Description
In this proseminar, students develop the skills necessary to engage in graduate-level research in the field of museum studies. Students read classic scholarly texts in museum studies and complete short assignments designed to hone their academic writing skills including critical reading, textual analysis, and argument development. Students also write a 10-page research essay that reflects a particular area of interest within the field of museum studies. Throughout the semester we consider the theory that informs museum practice. In particular, we examine how museums can powerfully mediate encounters with the collective past and reflect the politics of race, class, and gender as well as individual, communal, and national identities. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course, EXPO E-42a. MUSE E-100 is also recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
MUSE E-102
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Research in Museum Studies
Jeffrey Robert Wilson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25503 | Section 2
Description
In this proseminar, students develop the skills necessary to engage in graduate-level research in the field of museum studies. Students read classic scholarly texts in museum studies and complete short assignments designed to hone their academic writing skills including critical reading, textual analysis, and argument development. Students also write a 10-page research essay that reflects a particular area of interest within the field of museum studies. Throughout the semester we consider the theory that informs museum practice. In particular, we examine how museums can powerfully mediate encounters with the collective past and reflect the politics of race, class, and gender as well as individual, communal, and national identities. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course, EXPO E-42a. MUSE E-100 is also recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
MUSE E-105
The Twenty-First Century Museum
Laura B. Roberts MBA, Principal, Roberts Consulting
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16926 | Section 1
Description
Sustainability requires adaptation to a dynamic environment. We examine museums’ fundamental management issues through the lens of change. How can museums become more inclusive institutions? What does it mean to decolonize museum practice? How must our relationships with audiences change to embrace expectations of shared authority and participation? What leadership qualities are needed in the twenty-first century? How has the millennial generation of workers reshaped a profession created by baby boomers? How has the culture of accountability and venture philanthropy changed our case for support?
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MUSE E-106
The Business of Museums
Lawrence Scott Motz MBA, Adjunct Faculty, Sotheby’s Institute of Art
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26851 | Section 1
Description
Museums, in addition to being repositories for scholarly, educational, and cultural stewardship functions, are businesses, and the astute museum professional benefits from understanding how they operate and how they are structured. This course teaches the basic business of museums, large and small, and provides instruction so that museum professionals can operate in the most efficient manner possible. The course is designed to be enlightening to current or prospective staff in all functional areas within a museum, as every department contributes to operations either directly or indirectly. Though there are discussions that introduce basic financial concepts, this is not a finance course. Rather, this course provides history, theory, and practical management considerations for museums operating in today’s environment.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
MUSE E-107
Museums and the Law
Bonnie R. Clendenning JD, Consultant and Board Chair, Empower Success Corps
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26707 | Section 1
Description
Museums, being complex institutions, encompass not only their collections and exhibits but all the people who contribute to their successes, including trustees, employees, volunteers, donors, members and visitors. Museums are often involved in legal matters relating to governance, operations, personnel, intellectual property including digital media, and cultural heritage. They combine scholarly disciplines with intertwined management and organizational challenges. This course provides an overview of the law and its principles as they relate to museums, which should benefit museum professionals even if they do not anticipate being directly involved in legal matters.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100 is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MUSE E-109
Exhibition Design Through Narrative
Cesar Zapata MPA, Founder and Designer, Zapata Design Studio
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26871 | Section 1
Description
Students collaborate in groups through a lecture-workshop format, exploring exhibit design history, theory, and practice in how it relates to visitor experience and engagement, culminating in the development of an exhibition design proposal and 3-D scaled model of a narrative-style exhibition. The course introduces practices from multiples disciplines that allows students to understand their role as exhibit designers working with other sectors of the museum fields including architecture, design, fabrication, and new media.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100 or the equivalent is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, 1 Story Street 304
Saturday, April 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Sunday, April 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Term Start Date: March 28, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MUSE E-110
Museum Exhibition Content Development
Shelley N. Monaghan CMS, Consultant
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15158 | Section 1
Description
All exhibitions start with a key concept that informs all decisions. This course explores the issues and processes involved in the development of that concept, and the planning of exhibition content in a variety of museum settings. Topics include the development of exhibition themes and educational goals, visitor engagement, intellectual and physical accessibility, universal design, working with designers, and exhibit evaluation methods. The course encourages students to acquire creative communication and problem-solving skills.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 34 students
MUSE E-112
Museum Exhibition Design Fundamentals
Robert Steven Checchi MA, Assistant Director of Exhibitions, Collections Management, Harvard Art Museums
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26933 | Section 1
Description
Exhibition design is one of the most multifaceted and creative activities within the museum field. Exhibition design requires the merging of numerous design disciplines in order to create environments that simultaneously protect and display objects, artworks, and artifacts that have an intrinsic artistic, cultural, or historical value, while providing engaging and meaningful experiences for the visitors. This course explores the ways in which the design of an exhibition is conceptualized, developed, and produced from a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach. It provides a detailed look inside the fundamental principles of exhibition design for museums, going through the different layers and roles of planning and designing exhibits from a human-centric approach. Topics include concept design, design development, graphic communication, spatial planning, digital engagement, display fabrication, lighting, and technical specifications.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-110 is recommended, but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MUSE E-115
Collections Management: Issues and Solutions
Lily Sterling-Thompson ALM, Registrar and Exhibitions Manager, Special Collections, Boston Athenaeum
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26938 | Section 1
Description
The course explores the main issues encountered during museum collection management activities. These activities not only affect collections care, but also curation, research, exhibits, and educational projects. Specific challenges and solutions are examined through case studies and analysis of different scenarios. Topics addressed include acquisitions, documentation, digitizing, storage, disaster planning, ethics, and museum-wide strategies for successful collection management.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MUSE E-117
Museum Collections Care
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26381 | Section 1
Description
This course offers a hands-on training experience in collections care, documentation, and processing at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, Museum of Comparative Zoology, and Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments. Students work directly with collections management, curatorial, and archives staff members on specific collections-based projects.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100 or the equivalent is recommended.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 1:00pm-4:30pm, Peabody Museum 12
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
MUSE E-123
Telling New Stories With Objects
Reed Gochberg PhD, Associate Curator and Manager of Exhibitions, Concord Museum
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17220 | Section 1
Description
How can museums tell more inclusive histories through the objects in their collections? In this course, we explore how objects can illuminate the lives of people often left out of the archive or historical record. From clothing and accessories to food and toys, objects and the institutions that collect them provide a material record of how political, economic, and social events shaped the lives of ordinary people. By examining how objects were made, used, and collected, we explore how they open up possibilities for interpreting familiar subjects in new ways and developing exhibitions and programs that are inclusive and accessible to all. This course uses the varied collections across Harvard University to practice methods for analyzing objects, developing strategies for interpretation, and envisioning ways to incorporate them into exhibitions and programs. Prior to our on-campus weekend, we read key works of scholarship on the theories and methods of material culture, the history of museums, and interpretation strategies. Course activities include visits to Harvard’s museums and libraries, including the Harvard Art Museums, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Course activities include object-based analysis, gallery tours, small group workshops, and group discussions. The final assignment invites students to propose how they might interpret objects at Harvard and beyond by drawing on the interdisciplinary methods we practice together.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 18, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, October 19, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, October 20, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: October 04, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MUSE E-130
Museums and Technology
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23583 | Section 1
Description
The internet has changed the way nonprofits deliver information to constituents and the general public. In this course, we explore the ways in which nonprofits use the web and social media to deliver programmatic content as well as how the web and social media are used in marketing, public relations, and fundraising. We also take a look at the back-of-house systems that these organizations rely on for their information infrastructure, providing an in-depth look at the use of databases and websites to further the organization’s mission.
Prerequisites: Some knowledge of computer systems, especially in the nonprofit sector.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
MUSE E-135
The Future of Historic House Museums
Abby Battis ALM, Associate Director for Collections, Historic Beverly
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17069 | Section 1
Description
The changing attitudes in historic interpretation along with challenges facing historic house museums today, such as recovering from a worldwide pandemic, shifting demographics, funding, maintenance, and technology have contributed to declining attendance and waning interest in historic house museums around the world. This course examines the traditional methods for historic house museum sustainability, including collections care and exhibit design, and explores feasible and reinvented methods for reinterpreting the historic house museum in order to maintain its relevance in a changing society.
Prerequisites: Museum experience is a plus.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MUSE E-144
Museums as Producers of Meaning
Cynthia A. Fowler PhD, Professor of Art, Emmanuel College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16908 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the various roles played by museums in producing narratives about the objects and creations in their collections. Specifically, we consider factors such as geographical location, museum size, and the mission of the museum in determining what objects end up in museum collections and how those objects are then defined by museum professionals and scholars. Most significantly, the course examines the important role played by local and regional museums in preserving works often not viewed as collectable by large, national museums and how collections in these smaller museums have served revisionist histories of art and culture. Although the course focuses primarily on art museums, it also considers the roles of historic houses, anthropology and cultural museums, libraries, and other collecting institutions in preserving cultural objects. Finally, the course considers alternative ways of considering objects in relation to theories such as the itineraries of objects, challenges to the idea of the masterpiece, and the subject-hood of objects/creations in relation to animacy.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
MUSE E-147
Introduction to Informal Learning
Christina Smiraglia EdD, Learning Researcher, Project Zero and Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Lynn Baum MEd, Principal, Turtle Peak Consulting
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26650 | Section 1
Description
This course examines selected learning theories that have shaped and are shaping the development of educational offerings like programs and exhibitions in museums and similar informal learning environments. We explore a variety of ways that learning happens in these institutions, focusing on the visitors themselves. Students consider informal learning from the lenses of both educator and learner, experiencing and reflecting on educational approaches firsthand before then analyzing and suggesting improvements to an existing educational offering (virtual or onsite) based on the discussed learning theories and approaches.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100 or equivalent museum experience recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 16 students
MUSE E-158
Australian First Nations’ Art, Culture, and Politics
Brenda L. Croft PhD, Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Professor of Australian Studies, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17244 | Section 1
Description
Australian First Nations’ arts and cultural practices, cosmological beliefs, and politics span more than 60,000 years, with Australian First Nations Peoples standing firm in the belief that they have been on the continent known as Australia since time immemorial. The concept of everywhen, with specific reference to the more widely known, somewhat misleading, term the Dreaming, intersects with Australian First Nations’ concept of synchronous temporalities and spatiality. This being the belief that ancestral times, beings, and actions continue in the present and will continue into the future. This course explores the diversity of pre-colonial contact across the many nations whose traditional homelands embody the continent known as Australia, from colonial contact to the present day; from customary to contemporary representation, reclamation, reinvigoration, and reimagination; through diverse media and trans-disciplinary platforms; and informed by socio-political frameworks impacting contemporary Australian First Nations and First Nations futures. The course. has three main aims. First, to provide students with basic geographical, historical, and contextual frameworks for the study of Australian First Nations visual art, culture, and politics in mainland Australia and the islands of Tasmania, Tiwi, and the Torres Strait. Then, to familiarize students with concepts that are fundamental to Australian First Nations understandings of the interconnected relationships between art, culture, and life, both historically (pre- and early post-contact up to the early twentieth century) and in a contemporary (early twentieth to present day) context. Finally, to assist students in developing ideas about how contemporary Australian First Nations visual art, culture, and socio-political actions have contributed to critical methodologies and theory, representation and identity reclamation, reinvigoration and reimagining, and inter-disciplinary, creative-led research. Collections and exhibitions at arts, cultural, social history, and archival institutions are used as part of the teaching and learning experience wherever possible. Cultural institutions and collections at Harvard University are actively engaged with throughout the course, including the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology collection, specifically Australian First Nations cultural material.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 8, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, November 9, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, November 10, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: October 25, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MUSE E-161
Museum Ethics: Framework and Practice
Kara L. Schneiderman MA, Deputy Director for Collections, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16650 | Section 1
Description
Now more than ever, museums are in the spotlight and not always for their thought-provoking exhibitions and absorbing educational programs. Scandals involving governance, controversial acquisitions, calls for decolonization, and diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives gone wrong have put museum ethics under the microscope. Amidst public calls for transparency and accountability, museum ethics are increasingly questioned and debated, leaving many to wonder: what does an ethical museum practice mean in the twenty-first century? This course examines the theory and practice of museum ethics as a framework for understanding the critical role museums play in society today. Modules explore the ethics of governance, fundraising, acquisitions and provenance, deaccessioning, cultural heritage, decolonization, exhibitions, diversity and inclusion, and social justice. Students analyze and evaluate the outcomes of real-world case studies and examine the expanding role of museums as magnets for controversy and catalysts for change.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100 or the equivalent recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
MUSE E-168
Audience Engagement Through the Historic House Museum
Michael H. Maler ALM, Founder, Crescendo Productions, LLC
Kenneth Turino MAT, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search and Reference
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26870 | Section 1
Description
Including a visit to two local historic house museums to use as models, this course features a hands-on approach to understanding the methodologies from strategy to practice that house museums and small cultural institutions employ to attract and engage a diverse range of audiences through marketing, interpretation, and programming.
Prerequisites: MUSE E-100.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, February 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, March 1, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, March 2, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: February 14, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
MUSE E-190
Art Crime: Implications and Investigations
Anthony Amore MPA, Security Director and Chief Investigator, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Geoffrey Kelly MA, Federal Law Enforcement Official
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26340 | Section 1
Description
Crimes against art are a multi-billion dollar per year illicit activity. They range from thefts from museums and homes to the trafficking of looted antiquities. This course explores the impacts of art crimes and the methods of investigating them through the use of real-world examples.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
MUSE E-599
Capstone Projects in Museum Studies
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14868 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to complete a capstone project related to their professional interests. Capstone projects can include an analysis of a compelling and hotly debated issue within the field of museum studies or, perhaps, creation of a final product that can be used as demonstration of expertise to future or current employers, such as a museum education curriculum, multimedia design, or exhibit.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, museum studies. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, MUSE S-598, in the previous Harvard Summer School term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
MUSE E-599
Capstone Projects in Museum Studies
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17028 | Section 2
Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to complete a capstone project related to their professional interests. Capstone projects can include an analysis of a compelling and hotly debated issue within the field of museum studies or, perhaps, creation of a final product that can be used as demonstration of expertise to future or current employers, such as a museum education curriculum, multimedia design, or exhibit.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, museum studies. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in February with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, MUSE S-598, in the previous Harvard Summer School term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Friday, September 13, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, September 14, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, September 15, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
MUSE E-599
Capstone Projects in Museum Studies
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26521 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to complete a capstone project related to their professional interests. Capstone projects can include an analysis of a compelling and hotly debated issue within the field of museum studies or, perhaps, creation of a final product that can be used as demonstration of expertise to future or current employers, such as a museum education curriculum, multimedia design, or exhibit.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, museum studies. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, MUSE E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
MUSE E-599
Capstone Projects in Museum Studies
Katherine Burton Jones MA, Director, Museum Studies, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24273 | Section 2
Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to complete a capstone project related to their professional interests. Capstone projects can include an analysis of a compelling and hotly debated issue within the field of museum studies or, perhaps, creation of a final product that can be used as demonstration of expertise to future or current employers, such as a museum education curriculum, multimedia design, or exhibit.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, museum studies. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone tutorial, MUSE E-598, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Friday, February 7, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, February 8, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, February 9, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
MUSI E-190r
Technomusicology
Wayne G. Marshall PhD, Assistant Professor of Music History, Berklee College of Music
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25695 | Section 1
Description
This course uses hands-on media production, in the form of audio and video art, to examine the interplay between music and technology since the dawn of sound reproduction, especially in the digital age. Embracing such technologies ourselves, we use music software (Ableton Live) to explore new techniques and idioms by composing audio/video artworks. Readings, discussions, and projects focus on significant forms and their histories, including soundscapes, mashups, podcasts, supercuts, and DJ-style mixes. Students develop a fluency in the history of sound studies while cultivating competencies in audio and video editing, sampling and arranging, mixing and remixing, and, in framing their projects, descriptive and poetic forms of writing.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
NUTR E-1036
The Science of Physical Activity for Health and Well-Being
Rachele Pojednic PhD, Adjunct Lecturer of Human Biology, Stanford University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26455 | Section 1
Description
Exercise is medicine and fundamental to good health. Given the current epidemic of disease related to sedentary behavior, it is imperative to train future healthcare providers to understand the relationship between physical activity and health. There is also a need to educate healthcare professionals on the benefits of prescribing exercise to their patients. While the benefits of exercise are widely known, healthcare practitioners, including health and wellness coaches, do not always have the necessary training to counsel their patients on how to incorporate exercise and physical activity into their daily routines. Students may not take both NUTR E-1036 and PSYC E-1036 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
NUTR E-105
Food and Nutrition in Health and Well-Being
Rachele Pojednic PhD, Adjunct Lecturer of Human Biology, Stanford University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14784 | Section 1
Description
Students examine evidence-based relationships between nutrition and the promotion of long-term health and well-being. They become familiar with food-related policy and recommendations, including the US dietary guidelines, FDA food labels, and evidence-based nutrition programs, and gain practical skills to make healthful dietary choices. Moreover, students learn health promotion strategies to help influence other people’s food choices and apply these strategies to specific modifiable chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. After successful completion of this course, students are able to identify the fundamentals of a healthy eating pattern; recognize associations between dietary behaviors and non-communicable diseases and identify evidence-based dietary interventions for those diseases; understand barriers to healthful eating, including cultural, environmental, and social; utilize validated tools to encourage healthful food choices; provide practical advice to improve dietary behaviors; and become adept at accessing evidence-based resources to maintain the most up-to-date knowledge, skills, and tools to promote good nutrition.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
NUTR E-106
Culinary and Nutritional Neuroscience
Stephanie Peabody PsyD, Founding Director, Brain Health Initiative
Shelley Carson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Uma Naidoo MD, Director of Nutritional and Metabolic Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Barton Seaver AB, Chief Education Officer, Coastal Culinary Academy
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26713 | Section 1
Description
We have heard the expression you are what you eat, but have we really thought about it? This course introduces the science of a brain (and body) healthy diet and the concepts of the neuropsychology of eating, and offers practical applications of the science that you can adopt to support your own brain health and that of those you care for. It is not just what you eat, but how. Eating mindfully means choosing foods that balance blood sugar and provide adequate levels of brain-boosting nutrients like essential fatty acids, lean proteins, and a rainbow of antioxidants. The nutrients extracted from food enter metabolic pathways that are manipulated, modified, and molded into molecules that the body can use. This nutritional psychiatry course includes opportunities to ask questions of the faculty, experience live cooking demonstrations, and engage with other members of the brain healthy community for inspiration from similarly motivated individuals. When it comes to diet, most people’s concerns involve weight loss, fitness, cardiac health, and longevity. But what we eat affects more than our bodies; it also affects our brains. Now more than ever our food is something we can control. Foods can boost our immunity which is also linked to levels of depression and anxiety; studies also show a link to insomnia, dementia and beyond. This course guides students through the principles from Dr. Uma Naidoo’s cutting-edge book, This Is Your Brain on Food, Barton Seaver’s books American Seafood: Heritage, Culture Cookery From Sea to Shining Sea and Two If By Sea: Delicious Sustainable Seafood, and National Geographic’s Foods for Health: Choose and Use the Very Best Foods for Your Family and Our Planet, and then goes even deeper with professional lessons, resources, recipes and insights. This course also provides action steps and resources to take control of your own brain health, performance, and wellbeing, and to support those you care for and about with every brain-healthy food choice.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
PHIL E-101
Saints, Heretics and Atheists: An Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion
Jeffrey McDonough PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26638 | Section 1
Description
Does God exist? What is the nature of evil and where does it come from? Are humans free? Responsible? Immortal? Does it matter? This course explores foundational questions in the philosophy of western religion through the study of classic works by Plato, Augustine of Hippo, Anselm of Canterbury, Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, Thomas Aquinas, Blaise Pascal, Baruch Spinoza, David Hume, John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Nietzsche and William James, as well as discussions by contemporary authors such as Pamala Milne, Marilynne Robinson, and Daniel Dennett. Students have the opportunity to reexamine their own views and assumptions about religion in dialogue with great thinkers of the past and present.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Philosophy 31.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
PHIL E-105
The Meaning of Life
Mathias Risse PhD, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights, Global Affairs and Philosophy, Harvard Kennedy School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16601 | Section 1
Description
Many of us have good reasons for doing this or that, making this decision rather than that, choosing this path over another. There is often a point to these choices that we can identify and sometimes have thought hard about. But is there a point to life as a whole? That is the question about the meaning of life. Though the question is notoriously hard to make precise, one way or another it has animated much literature and art, and also much philosophy. Some philosophers have provided very disheartening answers to the questions of whether life has meaning, including that life is suffering and then it ends; life is absurd and never gains any meaning; life is all about creating hell for each other and we cannot escape. But other philosophers have provided more uplifting answers. Both kinds of answers deserve serious scrutiny. Such scrutiny should be of interest to anybody who wishes to make reflection on their life as a whole part of their education. After reviewing a number of pessimistic and more optimistic approaches to the meaning of life we also turn to the subject of death. We all die eventually. We normally encounter death among family and friends before we have to deal with our own. These themes too are the subject of philosophical reflection. The course finishes with a discussion of an important set of lectures on the topics of this course by a contemporary philosopher. This course is quite wide-ranging and integrates historical figures and references to art and literature as appropriate, but its main focus is on contributions by relatively recent thinkers in the Anglo-American analytical tradition of philosophy. The methodology of this course is philosophical. Some of the topics may touch you quite personally and you should take this into account before enrolling.
Prerequisites: None, but prior exposure to philosophy is a plus.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PHIL E-113
Buddhist Philosophers and Their Critics: Mind, Matter, and Meditation
Parimal G. Patil PhD, Professor of Religion and Indian Philosophy, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26861 | Section 1
Description
Buddhist theories in epistemology, metaphysics, and mind were contested by a broad range of philosophers, both Buddhist and non-Buddhist. In this course, we discuss rival views on the epistemology of perception, the metaphysics of momentariness, and the nature of consciousness. In addition to understanding these arguments in their historical contexts, we ask what we can learn from them today and, when relevant, investigate how they are being used in contemporary philosophy.
Prerequisites: Previous coursework in philosophy.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Philosophy 192b. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1:15 pm starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
PHIL E-124
Camus, Sartre, Beauvoir, and Current Social Debates
Raymond F. Comeau PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Tiffany Nancy Lin ALM, Staff Scientist, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26548 | Section 1
Description
The writings of Albert Camus (1913-1960) and Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), both Nobel Prize winners, and Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986), winner of the prestigious Goncourt Prize, are all representative of French existentialism and have made a lasting impact. Their ideas resonate today on a number of fronts that still cause lively debate, among them antisemitism, racism, epidemics, terrorism, suicide, feminism, capital punishment, authoritarianism, and ageism. These writers are also masters of thought and expression. We study their creative works aesthetically and intellectually, and follow their mode of philosophical thinking closely as they develop such concepts as freedom, the absurd, revolt, justice, individual responsibility, ethics, authenticity, committed writing and action, and the appeal to the conscience. Among works to be studied by Camus are The Myth of Sisyphus, The Guest, Reflections on the Guillotine, The Plague, and The Fall; by Sartre, Existentialism is a Humanism, No Exit, Anti-Semite and Jew, and What is Literature?; and by Beauvoir, The Second Sex, The Monologue, The Ethics of Ambiguity, and The Coming of Age. Most of the works are read in their entirety, the very long ones in carefully selected excerpts. Students write one-page opinion papers to help them crystallize their thoughts and prepare for class discussion.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
PHIL E-150
Philosophy of Technology: From Marx and Heidegger to Artificial Intelligence
Mathias Risse PhD, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights, Global Affairs and Philosophy, Harvard Kennedy School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26848 | Section 1
Description
Technology shapes how power is exercised in society and thereby also shapes how the present changes into the future. Technological innovation is all around us and new possibilities in fields like artificial intelligence, genome-editing, and geoengineering not only reallocate power, but might transform human life itself considerably, to the point of modifying the essence of what it is to be human. While ethical considerations enter prominently, the philosophy of technology is broader than its ethics. It aims to interpret and critically assess the role of technology for human life and guide us to a more thoughtful integration of technology in our individual lives and in public decision making. This course aims to teach students to do just that, starting with basic stances and key figures in the field and then progressing towards a number of challenges around specific types of technology as they arise for the twenty-first century. At times it is tech optimism that dominates these debates (sometimes even techno-boosterism that sees technology as key to heaven on earth), at other times it is more low-spirited attitudes from Romantic uneasiness to doom-and-gloom Luddism and technology-bashing. A closer look at these attitudes alongside reflection on how technology and power are intertwined helps generate a more skeptical attitude toward all of them and contribute to more level-headed debates, which are badly needed.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1194. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45 am starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
PHIL E-154
Self, Science, and Sport: Mindfulness from Aristotle to Lebron James
Sheza Alqera Atiq MTS, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17209 | Section 1
Description
Resources espousing mindfulness as a lifestyle, practice, or means of self-growth have exploded in the last few decades. Celebrities and scientists alike have taken to academic platforms and social media to champion the significance of a present state of mind. But what, if anything, do figures such as Lebron James and some of the earliest practitioners of contemplative practices like Aristotle have in common? This course studies mindfulness in its historical and contemporary context, examining the long and ancient history of looking inward and examining the self. We consider the emergence of mindfulness as a term and practice in the last century, whilst also considering the ways in which it is connected to and distinct from traditions past. We study some of the earliest discussions on reflective and meditative practices, beginning with the ancient Greek philosophers, moving on to Sufi and dervish literature, and ending with a study of the teachings of the popular, contemporary Vietnamese Thi n Buddhist monk, Th ch Nh t H?nh. We consider how the notion of contemplation and mindfulness is presented and negotiated in the writings of each of these authors, and whether there are parallels to be found across histories and cultures. Then, we switch gears and adopt a more contemporary lens, studying mindfulness from the perspective of modern science. Several recent studies in psychology and medicine have attempted to place mindfulness and meditation in conversation with cognition and neuroscience. Our task is to better understand how mindfulness is measured, defined, and studied in these relatively new fields. Finally, we study the role of body and movement in contemplative practice. We ask why the body is so critical in ancient yogic wisdom on the mind, what modern notions of a flow state mean, and consider why athletes such as Bruce Lee and Lebron James understand their physical craft as intimately connected to a mindful mental state. As we study mindfulness beyond the mind, we supplement our studies of texts with analysis of non-literary and contemporary resources, such as the modern podcast, and artistic endeavors. Throughout the course we consider how our history and our present merge in the study of mindfulness and what it can disclose of our understanding of human experience.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
PHIL E-155
Happiness
Susanna Rinard PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17281 | Section 1
Description
Should we pursue happiness, and if so, what is the best way to do it? This course critically assesses the answers to these questions given by thinkers from a wide variety of different places, cultures, and times, including Stoicism, Epicureanism, Buddhism, Daoism, and contemporary philosophy, psychology, and economics.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1025. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
PHIL E-155
Happiness
Susanna Rinard PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26919 | Section 1
Description
Should we pursue happiness, and if so, what is the best way to do it? This course critically assesses the answers to these questions given by thinkers from a wide variety of different places, cultures, and times, including Stoicism, Epicureanism, Buddhism, Daoism, and contemporary philosophy, psychology, and economics.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1025.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
PHIL E-181
Love, Lust, and Loyalty: The Ethics of Intimacy from Plato to Martin Luther King
Sergio Imparato PhD, Lecturer on Government, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16945 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the moral dimension of love, sex, and friendship through a philosophical lens. Students embark on a historical journey through the philosophical insights of ancient philosophers like Plato, Confucius, Augustine, and Aristotle, examining their perspectives on the nature of love and the virtues of friendship. Building upon this foundation, the course then transitions to modern ethical concerns about sexual ethics and social justice, drawing upon the teachings of Immanuel Kant, Simone de Beauvoir, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Through critical analysis of primary texts, students explore questions concerning the ethics of desire, consent, intimacy, autonomy, social responsibility, and the pursuit of happiness. Case studies include ethical dilemmas concerning polyamorous love, online dating, sex work, and friend rental services. This course empowers students to critically evaluate their own beliefs and behaviors in the ream of intimate relationships, while drawing inspiration from a set of influential ethical theories throughout history.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Wednesdays, September 4-December 18, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PHIL E-190
Empiricists, Scientists, and Charlatans: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
Jeffrey McDonough PhD, Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17221 | Section 1
Description
Science has become a defining feature of modern life. But what is science? How did it arise? What are its foundations and implications? In this course, students explore key philosophical ideas such as empiricism, evidence, induction, naturalism, realism, and explanation, as well as the relationships between science, philosophy, and society. They emerge with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the nature of modern science and are positioned to form considered views concerning its presuppositions, commitments, and consequences.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Philosophy 9. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:15 am starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 35 students
PHIL E-193
Philosophy in Classical India
Parimal G. Patil PhD, Professor of Religion and Indian Philosophy, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17225 | Section 1
Description
Classical Indian philosophy is one of the great philosophical traditions of the world. And yet, it is all but invisible in contemporary philosophy, let alone the humanities more generally. Debates between rival Indian philosophers on topics such as the sources of knowledge, the nature of persons, consciousness, the meaning of words and sentences, moral motivation, the goals of life, aesthetics, and poetic language inspired generations of their successors. Even in the twenty-first century, philosophers writing in classical Sanskrit (as well as modern South Asian languages) continue to debate these issues. In this course, we focus on some core areas of Indian philosophy and engage in the arguments that were of interest to philosophers who wrote in classical Sanskrit. We situate their arguments in their historical contexts and inquire into what we can learn from them today. Indirectly, we also consider what it takes to diversify our curriculum.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Philosophy 193. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1:15 pm starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
PHYS E-1ax
Physics I (Lecture): Mechanics, Elasticity, Fluids, and Diffusion
Olivia C. Miller PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Learning Incubator, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17000 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to classical mechanics, with special emphasis on the motion in fluids of biological objects, from proteins to people. Topics covered include momentum and energy conservation, kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, oscillations, elasticity, fluids, random walks, and diffusion. Examples and problem set questions are drawn from the life sciences and medicine. This course does not include a lab; students who need a physics lab should enroll concurrently in PHYS E-1axl.
Prerequisites: Students should have a firm foundation in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Although we discuss some elementary concepts of calculus in class, we do not expect students to use calculus on homework or examinations.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center D
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1AX, and in PHYS E-1AXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
PHYS E-1ax
Physics I (Lecture): Mechanics, Elasticity, Fluids, and Diffusion
Olivia C. Miller PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Learning Incubator, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14586 | Section 2
Description
This course is an introduction to classical mechanics, with special emphasis on the motion in fluids of biological objects, from proteins to people. Topics covered include momentum and energy conservation, kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, oscillations, elasticity, fluids, random walks, and diffusion. Examples and problem set questions are drawn from the life sciences and medicine. This course does not include a lab; students who need a physics lab should enroll concurrently in PHYS E-1axl.
Prerequisites: Students should have a firm foundation in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Although we discuss some elementary concepts of calculus in class, we do not expect students to use calculus on homework or examinations.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1AX, and in PHYS E-1AXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or in live sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
PHYS E-1axl
Physics I (Lab): Mechanics, Elasticity, Fluids, and Diffusion
Olivia C. Miller PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Learning Incubator, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14592 | Section 1
Description
A hands-on lab course intended to complement PHYS E-1ax. Students work together in small groups to complete six experiments over the course of the term. Experiments include aspects of measurement and uncertainty, force and momentum, simple harmonic oscillators, fluid mechanics, and diffusion.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1ax or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (mechanics).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center 106
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1AXL and in PHYS E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1axl
Physics I (Lab): Mechanics, Elasticity, Fluids, and Diffusion
Olivia C. Miller PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Learning Incubator, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17067 | Section 2
Description
A hands-on lab course intended to complement PHYS E-1ax. Students work together in small groups to complete six experiments over the course of the term. Experiments include aspects of measurement and uncertainty, force and momentum, simple harmonic oscillators, fluid mechanics, and diffusion.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1ax or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (mechanics).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center 106
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1AXL and in PHYS E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1axl
Physics I (Lab): Mechanics, Elasticity, Fluids, and Diffusion
Olivia C. Miller PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Learning Incubator, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17068 | Section 3
Description
A hands-on lab course intended to complement PHYS E-1ax. Students work together in small groups to complete six experiments over the course of the term. Experiments include aspects of measurement and uncertainty, force and momentum, simple harmonic oscillators, fluid mechanics, and diffusion.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1ax or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (mechanics).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 9:00am-12:00pm, Science Center 106
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1AXL and in PHYS E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1axl
Physics I (Lab): Mechanics, Elasticity, Fluids, and Diffusion
Olivia C. Miller PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Learning Incubator, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14593 | Section 4
Description
A hands-on lab course intended to complement PHYS E-1ax. Students work together in small groups to complete six experiments over the course of the term. Experiments include aspects of measurement and uncertainty, force and momentum, simple harmonic oscillators, fluid mechanics, and diffusion.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1ax or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (mechanics).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, September 7-December 21, 9:00am-12:00pm
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1AXL and in PHYS E-1AX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1bx
Physics II (Lecture): Electromagnetism, Circuits, Waves, and Optics
Oliver Saunders Wilder PhD, Research Affiliate, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26635 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to electromagnetism, circuits, waves, optics, and sound. Topics covered include electric and magnetic fields, electrical potential, analog and digital circuits, wave propagation in various media, microscopy, sound, and hearing. Many questions and examples are drawn from the life sciences and medicine. This course does not include a lab; students who need a physics lab should enroll concurrently in PHYS E-1bxl.
Prerequisites: PHYS E-1ax, or equivalent preparation in physics (mechanics).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center D
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1BX, and in PHYS E-1BXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
PHYS E-1bx
Physics II (Lecture): Electromagnetism, Circuits, Waves, and Optics
Oliver Saunders Wilder PhD, Research Affiliate, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24293 | Section 2
Description
This course is an introduction to electromagnetism, circuits, waves, optics, and sound. Topics covered include electric and magnetic fields, electrical potential, analog and digital circuits, wave propagation in various media, microscopy, sound, and hearing. Many questions and examples are drawn from the life sciences and medicine. This course does not include a lab; students who need a physics lab should enroll concurrently in PHYS E-1bxl.
Prerequisites: PHYS E-1ax, or equivalent preparation in physics (mechanics).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,575.
Credits: 3
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1BX, and in PHYS E-1BXL may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the live sessions, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
PHYS E-1bxl
Physics II (Lab): Electromagnetism, Circuits, Waves, and Optics
Oliver Saunders Wilder PhD, Research Affiliate, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26704 | Section 1
Description
This hands-on experimental course is intended to complement PHYS E-1bx. Laboratory experiments include aspects of electric and magnetic fields, analog and digital circuits, wave phenomena, and optics.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1bx or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (electricity and magnetism).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center 106
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1BXL, and in PHYS E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1bxl
Physics II (Lab): Electromagnetism, Circuits, Waves, and Optics
Oliver Saunders Wilder PhD, Research Affiliate, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26705 | Section 2
Description
This hands-on experimental course is intended to complement PHYS E-1bx. Laboratory experiments include aspects of electric and magnetic fields, analog and digital circuits, wave phenomena, and optics.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1bx or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (electricity and magnetism).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Science Center 106
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1BXL, and in PHYS E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1bxl
Physics II (Lab): Electromagnetism, Circuits, Waves, and Optics
Oliver Saunders Wilder PhD, Research Affiliate, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26706 | Section 3
Description
This hands-on experimental course is intended to complement PHYS E-1bx. Laboratory experiments include aspects of electric and magnetic fields, analog and digital circuits, wave phenomena, and optics.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1bx or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (electricity and magnetism).
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 9:00am-12:00pm, Science Center 106
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1BXL, and in PHYS E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PHYS E-1bxl
Physics II (Lab): Electromagnetism, Circuits, Waves, and Optics
Oliver Saunders Wilder PhD, Research Affiliate, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24302 | Section 4
Description
This hands-on experimental course is intended to complement PHYS E-1bx. Laboratory experiments include aspects of electric and magnetic fields, analog and digital circuits, wave phenomena, and optics.
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS E-1bx or prior completion of a comparable course in physics (electricity and magnetism).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Saturdays, February 1-May 17, 9:00am-12:00pm
Labs meet roughly every other week. Specific schedule to be announced.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $525.
Credits: 1
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Students in this course, other sections of PHYS E-1BXL, and in PHYS E-1BX may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or labs. Accordingly, when students participate in the labs, they may do so alongside students in other sections. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other course.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PSYC E-1007
Well-Being from the inside Out: Working toward a Healthy Body, Peaceful Mind, and Joyful Heart
Beth Frates MD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16805 | Section 1
Description
This course explores how to enhance our state of well-being. We look at what it means to be in a state of health and what it takes to move beyond that into well-being and thriving. The course focuses on the research that helps us understand how to keep our bodies healthy, our minds peaceful, and our hearts joyful. We examine both the science and the art of well-being. Our own experiences help to formulate our own inner wisdom and we work to draw that out in this course as we search for the meaning of well-being.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
PSYC E-1015
Intercultural Perspectives on Trauma
Mayron Piccolo PhD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26886 | Section 1
Description
Traumatic experiences vary in part due to the different adversities and experiences people from diverse cultures throughout the world face. And even though most of our understanding of psychological trauma is built on samples found in western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) countries, many researchers generalize these findings to non-WEIRD populations. In this course, we look at psychological trauma and post-traumatic stress through a multicultural lens, beyond the western perspective. Can a global model of trauma fit all cultures? If not, how should we properly assess trauma using culturally valid methods? What is the impact of the cultural experience on perceiving an event as traumatic? After answering these questions, we apply the foundational knowledge acquired during the course to establish a deeper understanding of cross-cultural trauma in veterans, refugees, and women who experience female genital excision.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-1017
Grief
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16781 | Section 1
Description
Grief is ubiquitous. At some point in our lives, each of us will grieve, yet it can be a taboo topic. This course provides an overview of the major theories, modern research, and current issues for understanding the phenomenon of grief. We examine psychological as well as anthropological and sociological research articles so we can better address questions such as, what is grief? Why do we grieve? Did Neanderthals grieve? Is grieving over the death of pets a new phenomenon? Is there more than one normal pattern of recovery? Are there effective treatments for people with complicated grief? What are some of the grieving practices of people in different cultures? At different times in history? Is it possible to have a meaningful and worthwhile life, despite grief? What does it mean to be resilient? We read and discuss a fascinating set of materials, enriching our knowledge and understanding of this important, universal topic.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 55 students
PSYC E-1018
Psychological Resilience
Shelley Carson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25649 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the field of resilience research, including an examination of evidence-based cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, and self-care skills that have been demonstrated to reduce risk of major psychological disorders, such as major depression and anxiety disorders, in the face of adversity.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1023
Habits and Habit Change
Shelley Carson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26286 | Section 1
Description
This course examines habits and habit change at several levels of analysis, including the biological (neurobiological), psychological (emotional, cognitive, and behavioral), and socio-cultural levels. Some of the topics we cover include the definition and measurement of habits, individual differences in our propensity to form habits and make changes to them (in other words how our personality affects our habits), the role of IQ, gender, age, and cultural differences in habits, and the relationship of habits to various forms of psychopathology. We also apply what we learn by forming a new habit of our own during the course.
Prerequisites: An introductory psychology course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-1027
Psychophysiology of Stress and Resilience
Vladimir Ivkovic PhD, Instructor in Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16918 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the concepts of stress and resilience in relation to the underlying psychophysiologic mechanisms that regulate them. Shaped by evolutionary forces, human psychophysiologic, emotional, behavioral, and social performance continuously adapts to intrinsic and extrinsic stressors with the aim of improving fitness. The traditional topics are supplemented with current stress-related research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These core topics and processes are discussed in the broader context of (mental) health and understanding of the etiology of stress-related psychopathologies, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Contemporary findings from research studies conducted in laboratory (for example, neuroimaging), occupational and extreme (for example, spaceflight), and clinical (for example, mental health clinic) environments are discussed in the context of history, systems, and research paradigms used to study psychophysiology of stress. Theoretical concepts and research findings are evaluated relative to their utility in developing prevention and mitigation strategies for stress-related psychopathologies, and translational implementation in clinical treatments. This course may feature expert guest lecturers (occupational health experts, and NASA and Antarctic researchers) and demonstrations of state-of-the-art experimental methodologies used in psychophysiologic research on stress and resilience.
Prerequisites: An introductory-level courses in psychology and human physiology is recommended prior to taking this course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-1028
Loss and Legacy
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17042 | Section 1
Description
Grief is ubiquitous. Yet, in many cultures, this aspect of human experience is taboo to discuss and scientific research into understanding grief is a relatively recent endeavor. We focus on meaning-making creative activities and on addressing collective grief. Weather permitting, we take a guided tour and explore an historical and innovative cemetery. Students learn about ethical wills and begin creating their own legacy writing. Students may not take both PSYC E-1017w (offered previously) and PSYC E-1028 for degree or certificate credit.
Prerequisites: Students must be concurrently enrolled in PSYC E-1017 or have completed PSYC E-1017 with a B-minus or higher in order to enroll in this course. Students should bring a laptop to class.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 25, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, October 26, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, October 27, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: October 11, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-1031
Emerging Adulthood: Challenges and Possibilities
Selva Lewin-Bizan PhD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17245 | Section 1
Description
In the past half-century, the typical experiences of people aged 18-29 in developed countries have changed significantly. They now delay marriage and parenthood while spending more time on education. They are focused on personal development, with high levels of optimism about future work and relationships. This developmental stage, referred to as emerging adulthood, is distinct from late adolescence in that individuals are less dependent on their parents and are no longer minors by law, but have not yet settled into fully adult roles. This course critically evaluates theory and research on a variety of topics central to this in-between stage, including identity explorations in the areas of love (sex, dating, and long-term relationships), work, and worldviews (political beliefs and civic engagement); changing relationships with parents, siblings, and grandparents; and structural influences on the transition to adulthood experience, such as discrimination surrounding sexual orientation, sexual violence on college campuses, and mental health challenges. The course highlights variations between cultures and that even within American society there are unique patterns in experiencing emerging adulthood.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
PSYC E-1032
Family, School, and Society: Shaping the Developing Child
Selva Lewin-Bizan PhD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26883 | Section 1
Description
What obstacles do single, low-income fathers face to becoming and staying involved in the lives of their children? Why are students in poor schools at increased risk of entering adulthood without all the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and life? Why do children in poverty have higher chances for serious health issues than wealthier children? What difference do kinship versus non-kinship care arrangements make in the lives of children who are in foster care? Why are children subjected to harsh discipline policies at school more likely to go to jail or prison later in life than those who are not? How do strengths and resiliencies of immigrant children go unnoticed in the face of their many challenges? How important are affirming relationships with family and school practices for successfully navigating stigma and bullying of LGBTQ youth? Using theory, research findings and other data sources, and current news, this course focuses on the complex social issues that America’s children and adolescents face both in their immediate settings of family and school and with broader societal values, customs, and laws, and the effects of these issues on their psychological development and well-being.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
PSYC E-1038
Health: A Positive Psychology Perspective
Ellen Langer PhD, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16826 | Section 1
Description
Why does it seem that some people are so resilient and content? This course looks at psychological and physical health from the perspective of positive psychology. The major focus is on mindfulness theory and its relationship to stress and coping, illness and wellness, decision making, and placebos. The medical model, the biosocial model, and a unified mind-body model are compared to examine their role in becoming mindful and thus healthier, happier, and less stressed.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Psychology 1005. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-11:45 am starting September 3 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
PSYC E-1038
Health: A Positive Psychology Perspective
Ellen Langer PhD, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26459 | Section 1
Description
Why does it seem that some people are so resilient and content? This course looks at psychological and physical health from the perspective of positive psychology. The major focus is on mindfulness theory and its relationship to stress and coping, illness and wellness, decision making, and placebos. The medical model, the biosocial model, and a unified mind-body model are compared to examine their role in becoming mindful and thus healthier, happier, and less stressed.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the spring 2024 Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Psychology 1005.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
PSYC E-1039
The Art and Science of Empowering People to Change
Beth Frates MD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School
Tracie McCargo PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26855 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the theory, science, and real-world experience of behavior change. Throughout the semester, students learn about behavior change basics, stages of change, motivational interviewing, the power of autonomy, appreciative inquiry, goal setting and planning, maintaining motivation, overcoming obstacles, using strengths, accountability, the five step collaboration cycle, group coaching, and positive health practices.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 54 students
PSYC E-1050
Introduction to Social Psychology
Holly Parker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13822 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an overview of the major concepts and questions in the field of social psychology. Students have the opportunity to discuss and think critically about a variety of exciting issues, such as the impact of social perceptions on individual behavior, factors that influence how people see themselves, romantic relationships, aggression, and the act of helping others.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1053
Sex, Gender, and Evolution
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16922 | Section 1
Description
Why did so many species evolve to have two sexes? Why is sex dichotomous in our gametes, but continuous in our bodies and behavior? Did we evolve to have a sense of our own gender identity and if so, why? This course takes a deep dive into these questions and more. Classes are organized around group discussion of readings. After mastering the foundational material, students write their final paper, applying the course material and their outside interests and expertise to a topic of interest in this wide field.
Prerequisites: Evolutionary psychology or an equivalent course is recommended. Prior coursework in some combination of introductory genetics, biology, psychology, sociology, and women and gender studies is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-1080
Schizophrenia
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17239 | Section 1
Description
Schizophrenia is a neuro-developmental disorder that approximately one percent of people experience during their lives. Schizophrenia can be profoundly disabling, and even for people who are able to be very high functioning (for example, Professor Elyn Saks), schizophrenia is a difficult disorder to manage. Better understanding the symptoms, risk factors, treatments, and impacts of schizophrenia can provide valuable insight and help to reduce stigma.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
PSYC E-1240
Psychopathology
Shelley Carson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 10236 | Section 1
Description
We examine a variety of mental disorders from several different theoretical perspectives. We focus on diagnostic issues, epidemiology, causes, gender differences, and treatments of each disorder.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1310
Cognitive Neuroscience
Elizabeth Phelps PhD, Pershing Square Professor of Neuroscience, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17071 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with a foundational knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, a field that studies the intricate links between the mind, the brain, and behavior. Students learn basics about brain anatomy and function and the methods used to study how the brain supports cognition and behavior. We explore the various functions of the brain by taking a journey from lower to higher level cognitive processes. We study how we can sense and perceive the world, act in it, remember it, feel about it, control thoughts and behaviors, make decisions, and think about others.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
PSYC E-1310
Cognitive Neuroscience
Elizabeth Phelps PhD, Pershing Square Professor of Neuroscience, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26709 | Section 1
Description
This course provides students with a foundational knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, a field that studies the intricate links between the mind, the brain, and behavior. Students learn basics about brain anatomy and function and the methods used to study how the brain supports cognition and behavior. We explore the various functions of the brain by taking a journey from lower to higher level cognitive processes. We study how we can sense and perceive the world, act in it, remember it, feel about it, control thoughts and behaviors, make decisions, and think about others.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
PSYC E-1356
Evolutionary Psychology
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26283 | Section 1
Description
Evolutionary psychology is the application of principles from evolutionary biology to the study of human behavior. In this course, we explore the underlying theories in evolutionary psychology and how they have been applied to topics covering the range of human experience, including cooperation, mating, friendship, aggression, warfare, collective action, kinship, parenting, social learning, dietary choice, spatial cognition, reasoning, emotions, morality, personality and individual differences, predator avoidance, hazard management, culture, and more.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15, or the equivalent; PSYC E-1050 or PSYC E-1240 recommended.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections Fridays, 8-9 pm.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1440
Sleep and Mental Health
Edward Franz Pace-Schott PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16052 | Section 1
Description
The scientific study of sleep is an area of research that is both highly diverse and among the most interdisciplinary and unifying of topics in psychology and neuroscience. In the past several decades, exciting new discoveries on the neurobiology of sleep have been facilitated by technologies such as functional neuroimaging and molecular genetics. Nonetheless, sleep remains mysterious and controversial and, remarkably, there still is no generally agreed upon function for this behavioral state that occupies one third of our lives. Importantly, sleep science exemplifies the translational approach in biomedical science whereby human and animal research together continually advance the field of sleep medicine. Following an overview on the physiology and behavioral neuroscience of sleep, students choose a topic related to the effects of sleep on mental health to research in depth, to present to the class, and to discuss in a term paper. Topics might include the characteristic abnormalities in sleep occurring in mood, anxiety, psychotic, addictive, autism spectrum, or neurodegenerative disorders. Such changes are increasingly seen as bidirectional, with sleep disturbances contributing to the waking symptoms of these mental disorders. Other topics might focus on the contribution of primary sleep disorders to psychiatric and neurological illness such as the linkage between sleep apnea and depression, circadian rhythm disorders in bipolar illness, insomnia as a risk factor for mood and anxiety disorders, or contribution of nocturnal seizures to neurodevelopmental disorders. Still other topics may focus on the contribution of normal sleep to emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and human performance factors. For those with more neuroscientific interests, topics might include neuroimaging of cognitive functioning following sleep deprivation or the growing interest in trafficking and disposal of abnormal proteins during sleep having a potential role in neurodegenerative illness.
Prerequisites: An introductory psychology course (such as PSYC E-15).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-1440
Sleep and Mental Health
Edward Franz Pace-Schott PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26426 | Section 1
Description
The scientific study of sleep is an area of research that is both highly diverse and among the most interdisciplinary and unifying of topics in psychology and neuroscience. In the past several decades, exciting new discoveries on the neurobiology of sleep have been facilitated by technologies such as functional neuroimaging and molecular genetics. Nonetheless, sleep remains mysterious and controversial and, remarkably, there still is no generally agreed upon function for this behavioral state that occupies one third of our lives. Importantly, sleep science exemplifies the translational approach in biomedical science whereby human and animal research together continually advance the field of sleep medicine. Following an overview on the physiology and behavioral neuroscience of sleep, students choose a topic related to the effects of sleep on mental health to research in depth, to present to the class, and to discuss in a term paper. Topics might include the characteristic abnormalities in sleep occurring in mood, anxiety, psychotic, addictive, autism spectrum, or neurodegenerative disorders. Such changes are increasingly seen as bidirectional, with sleep disturbances contributing to the waking symptoms of these mental disorders. Other topics might focus on the contribution of primary sleep disorders to psychiatric and neurological illness such as the linkage between sleep apnea and depression, circadian rhythm disorders in bipolar illness, insomnia as a risk factor for mood and anxiety disorders, or contribution of nocturnal seizures to neurodevelopmental disorders. Still other topics may focus on the contribution of normal sleep to emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and human performance factors. For those with more neuroscientific interests, topics might include neuroimaging of cognitive functioning following sleep deprivation or the growing interest in trafficking and disposal of abnormal proteins during sleep having a potential role in neurodegenerative illness.
Prerequisites: An introductory psychology course (such as PSYC E-15).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-15
Introduction to Psychology
Todd Farchione PhD, Research Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 10232 | Section 1
Description
This course is a broad introduction to the field of psychology. Students explore the key figures, diverse theoretical perspectives, and research findings that have shaped some of the major areas of contemporary psychology. This course also examines the research methods used by psychologists across these areas to study the origins and variations in human behavior.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-15
Introduction to Psychology
Todd Farchione PhD, Research Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23862 | Section 1
Description
This course is a broad introduction to the field of psychology. Students explore the key figures, diverse theoretical perspectives, and research findings that have shaped some of the major areas of contemporary psychology. This course also examines the research methods used by psychologists across these areas to study the origins and variations in human behavior.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1503
The Psychology of Close Relationships
Holly Parker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26580 | Section 1
Description
This course is an exploration of the psychology of close human relationships. We learn about intimate (romantic) relationships and friendships, and the ways in which these two kinds of relationships interact. Other kinds of close relationships (family and work relationships, for example) are integrated into the course, and although they are extremely valuable relationships in their own right, they are addressed secondarily to romantic relationships and friendships for the purposes of this course. Examples of topics include attraction and love, relationship formation and dissolution, relational interaction patterns, relationship satisfaction, and the social context of relationships (the influence of others). Students have an opportunity to explore relationships through readings in the popular press, but ultimately a scholarly, critical examination of the scientific literature serves as the foundation of our learning throughout the course. Students find that the literature contains unexpected findings that can change the way they look at relationships, both from academic and applied, real-life perspectives.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1506
Groups and Culture
Bobbi Wegner PsyD, Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26528 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept of groups and culture. It is designed to help students understand key skills that generate cohesion and cooperation, and demonstrate how individuals can come together as a group and function across scale. Drawing on examples of successful organizations and small group experiences, students learn the recipe to positive group functioning and how to create a culture that promotes learning, growth, collaboration, trust, and positive change. Students also learn how to lead a successful small group and translate these skills to larger systems. Students learn about what not to do as well; past flops from groups and organizations are shared, and how to reform a toxic culture is addressed. The course is viewed through the lens of practical application. Students walk away understanding the basic principles of group dynamics, group facilitation, and culture. There are guest speakers from both business and psychology.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1507
Psychology of Diversity
Mona Sue Weissmark PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15447 | Section 1
Description
The United States is becoming increasingly diverse and the world increasingly globalized. The central focus of the course is on the links between diversity and psychological processes at individual, interpersonal, and international levels. We consider several basic questions, including: What is diversity? How do race, nationality, and religion influence individuals? What impact does diversity have on cross-group relationships? How is diversity related to people’s perceptions of fairness and justice? What is the relevance of people’s perceptions of fairness and justice to social problems and social change? Does respect for diversity promote peace and positive change? Much research has addressed these questions, and we closely examine the evidence that has emerged so far.
Prerequisites: Previous coursework in psychology is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1508
Motivation
Bobbi Wegner PsyD, Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16739 | Section 1
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept of motivation. It is designed to help students understand what motivation is, how it relates to needs, cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. It also covers how to assess and intervene to help people achieve goals effectively. Students learn the different types of motivation, what shapes it, how to assess and measure it, how to make a theoretical formulation on where people are in their readiness for change, how to foster motivation through intervention such as motivational interviewing, and how to promote motivation on an individual and systems level. This course is led by a practicing clinical psychologist and the semester is viewed through the lens of application. Students walk away understanding what to look for, how to ask questions and assess, how to formulate an understanding of an individual’s motivation to change, what tools to use, and how to think about motivation on an individual and systems level. Theory of change is touched upon as well.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1508
Motivation
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25117 | Section 1
Description
Motivation is an internal process that drives behavior. Understanding motivation is essential for effecting change in ourselves and in others. In this course students learn the theories and empirical research regarding motivation, as well as consider how to apply what they learn to a variety of contexts ranging from improving workplace productivity, enhancing learning in school, changing personal habits, and understanding the behaviors of others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
PSYC E-1515
The Psychology of Competition and Peak Performance
Emily Hangen PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Philosophy, and Neuroscience, State University of New York, Brockport
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26318 | Section 1
Description
Competition is ubiquitous: athletes compete on the field, dancers and actors audition for coveted roles, candidates vie for employment or political positions, businesses compete for profit, and students compete for scholarships and program admission. Why do some individuals choke under the pressure of competition, while others thrive? How does having a competitor or audience watching you affect how well you perform? In this course we elucidate the relation between competition and performance in discussions of social comparison theory, social facilitation, goal adoption, the opposing process model of competition, performance under stress, and deliberate practice. Students develop a scientifically-grounded understanding of how competition affects motivation and performance and learn practical, evidence-based tips for how to reach their own peak performance.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with general psychology is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1520
Psychology of Willpower
Rebecca Fortgang PhD, Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16417 | Section 1
Description
It’s two in the morning. Will you finally write that paper, or will you give up and go to sleep? You are not the only person who faces dilemmas like these. Self-control is challenging, and everyone struggles with it. How do we find the willpower to do the things we will be happy about tomorrow, and stay away from things we regret? This course brings together insights from psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to identify how we can break old habits and forge new ones, resist temptation, and pursue goals. Students learn about the science of self-control and put empirically-supported strategies to the test in their own lives.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1550
Psychology and Religion in Historical Context
Nadine Weidman PhD, Lecturer on the History of Science, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26866 | Section 1
Description
From Sigmund Freud’s denunciation of the Judeo-Christian god as an infantile delusion to Dr. Herbert Benson’s discovery that meditation can make us healthier, psychology and religion have had a long and complicated relationship. This course examines how psychologists and psychiatrists from the mid-nineteenth century to the present have tried to explain and sometimes explain away religious and spiritual experiences, practices, and phenomena. Is faith in the supernatural an essential human trait a channel to the “superconscious,” as William James argued? Or is it a form of madness? Is religion responsible for humans’ longevity as a species, as evolutionary psychologists claim? Or are religious differences now tearing us apart? If religious phenomena become increasingly subject to to psychological explanation, is there still a place for god in a secular world? We ponder our own answers to these questions as we read those offered by such major scientific thinkers as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, William James, Gordon Allport, Aldous Huxley, Lois Murphy, and E.O. Wilson, and by religious, spiritual, and mystical thinkers from a range of traditions Judeo-Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
PSYC E-1552
Music and the Mind
Patrick Whelan MD, PhD, Lecturer on Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26511 | Section 1
Description
Fifty years ago Leonard Bernstein presented six seminal lectures entitled, “The Unanswered Question,” first in the Harvard Square Theater and later to a national public television audience. What is the meaning of music, he asked, and why do we enjoy it? This course takes his inquiry several steps further, exploring the evolutionary origins of our musicality, the relationship between music and speech, and the unique emotional impact of music. We explore the neuroanatomy of hearing and music perception, its relationship to sound perception in other species, the extraordinary capacity for musical memory, the relationship between music and emotion, the role of involuntary music (that is, ear worms), and alterations in music perception experienced by patients with autism, Williams syndrome, stroke, and dementia. No previous musical training is necessary, but students can anticipate gaining an improved appreciation of musical form and variety across cultures, and a sense of the experimental progress the past twenty years in the neuroscience of music perception.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1557
Self and Identity
Alexandra Sedlovskaya PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25118 | Section 1
Description
Our sense of who we are permeates every aspect of our life. This course explores how we develop a sense of self; how we navigate multiple identities, some of which may be conflicting or socially devalued; and how these identities affect both consciously and unconsciously our thoughts, motives, feelings, and behavior. Students engage with classical theories and contemporary research to gain insight into psychological perspectives on self and identity.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 204
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1565
Too Much of a Good Thing? The Psychology of Rewards
Mayron Piccolo PhD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17253 | Section 1
Description
How can we harness the power of rewards to improve our mental health and well-being? Is there a fine line between rewards that are beneficial and those that are harmful to our lives? This course examines the complex world of rewards. We explore different categories of rewards (for example, social, monetary, and natural/primary) and uncover how they can be effectively implemented to enhance well-being and mental health. We also discuss the consequences of unbalanced responses to rewards, such as addiction, binge eating, and substance use disorders. Drawing on research from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, this course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the role rewards play in shaping our lives and our mental health. Throughout the course, we grapple with the delicate balance between constructive and destructive responses to rewards and how this balance affects our pursuit of a fulfilling life.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
PSYC E-1585
Leading and Managing Diversity: The Science of Bias
Joseph A. Vitriol PhD, Assistant Professor, Management, Lehigh University College of Business
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17036 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of anti-bias interventions and other initiatives to create, maintain, and lead diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) organizations. This course equips students with a scientific understanding of modern forms of bias, how they impact interactions and decision making, and how to confront biases in individuals and organizations. One of the major goals of this course is for students to learn how to identify evidence-based strategies and translate them into bold actions in order to create and maintain meaningful change for individuals, organizations, and societies. Students gain practical experience by participating directly in a real-world anti-bias intervention and DEI program. Students also learn to apply cutting-edge scientific methods (for example, how to design and conduct a survey or field experiment) that are critical for evaluating the effectiveness of these initiatives. The course culminates in an independent research project in which students propose, develop, and evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-bias or pro-diversity intervention in an organizational setting.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, October 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 203
Saturday, October 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Sunday, October 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 203
Term Start Date: September 27, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-1586
Confronting Bias in the Self and Others
Joseph A. Vitriol PhD, Assistant Professor, Management, Lehigh University College of Business
Adam Brosan Magerman PhD, Consultant, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, RHR International
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17227 | Section 1
Description
Most people reject hostile expressions of prejudice and are motivated to reduce bias in their judgment and behavior, but many groups continue to be marginalized and discriminated against in modern society. Targets of prejudice often experience interpersonal and institutional discrimination that undermines their psychological well-being and economic mobility. In this course, we critically examine the psychological processes that underpin conscious and unconscious forms of prejudice and stereotyping. We examine the effectiveness of various interventions for reducing bias, considering how and why many people fight back rather than self-improve when confronted with evidence of their own bias or that of others in society. Together we work to develop a scientific understanding of how modern forms of prejudice and discrimination operate in human relations and how to confront biases in the self and others.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-October 26, 6:00pm-8:15pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
PSYC E-1605
The Brain in Psychology I: The Neuroanatomical Basis of Psychological Function
William Milberg PhD, Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14011 | Section 1
Description
This course reviews contemporary neuroscience and neuroanatomy relevant to understanding higher psychological functions. It combines lectures and laboratory methods to help students gain understanding of the topology and connectivity of cortical structures. Students learn how anatomy as viewed through neuroimaging techniques is related to actual brain tissue and the methods through which inferences about the relationship between neural structure and function are made.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
PSYC E-1609
Neuroscience of Learning: An Introduction to Mind, Brain, Health, and Education
Tracey Noel Tokuhama-Espinosa PhD, Educational Researcher
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25122 | Section 1
Description
This course provides an overview of the neuroscience of learning through mind, brain, health, and education science (MBHE), or the intersection of psychology, cognitive neuroscience, health, and education. Fundamental biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors are introduced with an emphasis on critical functions related to learning and achievement across settings, age groups, and concepts, such as epigenetics, sensitive periods, and neuroplasticity. In addition, factors that facilitate and roadblocks that inhibit optimization of learning are explored as we discuss key cognitive constructs (language, attention, memory, executive functions, and affect/emotions) with special attention to comparative cultural influences on neurocognitive processes. These studies are directly applied by students who complete the semester research project, which is conducted in an area of personal interest.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Required sections for graduate-credit students to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
PSYC E-1610
The Brain in Psychology II
William Milberg PhD, Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23820 | Section 1
Description
This seminar is an introduction to the neuropsychological aspects of cognition, personality, and social behavior. Students are introduced to the intellectual underpinnings, assumptions, and methods used in contemporary neuropsychological research and learn how these apply to the classical problems of psychology. As part of the course, students present and analyze recent literature in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and neuropsychology.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-1605, or the equivalent recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-1620
Brain and Behavior in the Extremes
Vladimir Ivkovic PhD, Instructor in Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17243 | Section 1
Description
What happens to the human brain and behavior when we are exposed to isolated, confined, and extreme environments? Examples include spaceflight; high altitude flights or mountaineering; submersed or underwater activities; and polar, desert, or jungle exploration. In addition to these classical extreme environments, the COVID-19 pandemic placed a large portion of the world’s population in an extreme environment defined by social and physical isolation/confinement, movement and travel restrictions, disruption of personal and professional activities, and novel health risks and behavioral adjustments. This course covers the effects of extreme environmental exposures on major physiologic systems and the resulting neurophysiologic and neurobehavioral performance and (re)adaptation. These topics are augmented by contemporary findings from research studies conducted in operational environments and discussed in the context of history, experimental methods, and research paradigms used in extreme environmental physiology and translational neuroscience. We also review current studies emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss them in the context of transition from every day to a new normal extreme environment, including physiologic, behavioral, and social adaptations. Theoretical concepts and research findings are evaluated relative to their utility in developing functional countermeasures for extreme human habitation as well as methods for clinical treatment of related medical conditions in the general population. As such, this course may be particularly interesting to students pursuing careers in translational neuroscience, psychology, extreme physiology/medicine, and human performance in extreme environments. This course features expert guest lecturers (for example, NASA astronauts and researchers, Antarctic expeditionary physicians, and underwater explorers) and demonstrations of unique experimental methodologies and equipment used in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.
Prerequisites: Prospective students would benefit from completing introductory-level courses in psychology and human physiology prior to taking this course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-1621
Women’s Brain Health
Stephanie Peabody PsyD, Founding Director, Brain Health Initiative
Shelley Carson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Annie Fenn MD, Founder and Owner, The Brain Health Kitchen
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26879 | Section 1
Description
Women are far more likely than men to suffer from anxiety, depression, migraines, brain injuries, strokes, and even Alzheimer’s disease. However, through the lens of women’s health, women’s brain health rarely gets addressed until symptoms emerge. This course gives women a roadmap to address the unique opportunities to promote protective factors of brain health and address risks of female brain illness. The course also introduces how women’s brains age distinctly from men’s, primarily due to the decline of a critical brain-protective hormone: estrogen. Throughout the course, students learn about multiple aspects of women’s brain health, including depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, migraines, hormonal imbalances, brain fog, memory lapses, and the increased risk of dementia. The course introduces cutting-edge, evidence-based lifestyle approaches to protect the female brain, a self-care routine that includes a brain-healthy diet proven to work for women, stress reduction, physical activity, social wellness, positive psychology, and sleep. The course also examines the controversy about soy and hormonal replacement therapy; the implications of environmental toxins, including skin care, beauty products, anti-aging procedures, cleaning supplies, insecticides, and SPF; and the role of our microbiome. The brain-health implications of puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and perimenopause are still a black box to most doctors, leaving girls and women exasperated as they grapple with symptoms ranging from mood swings and hot flashes, to insomnia, brain fog, and potentially cognitive decline. Through this course, students understand that hormones impact brain health and performance and not just the reproductive systems it is a neurological hormonal cycle that can be proactively supported through a brain-healthy lifestyle across the lifespan.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 52 students
PSYC E-1702
The Emotional Mind
Leah Somerville PhD, Grafstein Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26719 | Section 1
Description
Not only do emotions permeate our everyday lives, they have aided in the survival of the human species. But what are emotions and what are they good for? What causes us to experience an emotion? And how do emotional responses, in turn, influence our perception, memory, decision making, and psychological well-being? This course addresses these questions by drawing on key advances from historical, philosophical, psychological, and neuroscientific perspectives.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Psychology 1702. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30-2:45 pm starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 36 students
PSYC E-1704
Creativity Research: Eccentrics, Geniuses, and Harvard Students
Shelley Carson PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15403 | Section 1
Description
Human creativity is essential to our ability to survive and thrive as a species. In addition, creativity in the arts enriches and adds breadth to our everyday experiences. Creativity in the sciences has extended our lifespan, made living conditions more comfortable, and opened the worlds of outer space and inner space to our scrutiny and amazement. This course provides an overview of the major theories, modern research, and current issues in the field of creativity. We examine creativity from different levels of analysis, including biological, psychological, and social levels. We use three different approaches in our examinations: first, we examine empirical research; second, we employ the case-study approach to learn from the lives of history’s most eminent creative achievers; and finally, we use ourselves as subjects to arrive at valuable insights about the creative process. Some of the topics we cover include the definition and measurement of creativity, the nature of the creative process, the creative personality, the role of family life and culture in creativity, the relationship of creativity to IQ, and the relationship of creativity to psychopathology.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
PSYC E-1830
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and OCD-Spectrum Disorders
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26874 | Section 1
Description
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can impact children, teens, and adults. Over two percent of people experience OCD at some point in their lives. OCD and other OCD-spectrum disorders (such as hoarding, trichotillomania, and body dysmorphic disorder) can cause disability and suffering. Yet, OCD is frequently misunderstood and misrepresented in the media and popular culture, creating misunderstanding and barriers to treatment. Better understanding the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, risk factors, subtypes, treatments, and impacts of OCD can provide valuable insight and help to reduce stigma. Enrich your understanding of OCD in this intensive active learning weekend course.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, March 28, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, March 29, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, March 30, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: March 14, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-1851
Psychology of Anomalous Experiences
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26878 | Section 1
Description
Explore the scientific explanations of anomalous experiences such as synesthesia, lucid dreaming, hypnosis, hallucinations, near death experiences, false memories, hauntings, alien abductions, and memories of past lives. In this introduction to anomalous experiences, students gain a greater understanding for how we come to have anomalous experiences.
Prerequisites: A college-level course in psychology or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 25, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, April 26, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, April 27, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: April 11, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-1853
Psychosis: Development, Symptoms, and Treatment
Rebecca Fortgang PhD, Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26393 | Section 1
Description
Psychosis is among the most mysterious states of the human mind. It is a symptom of several psychiatric disorders, most notably schizophrenia. It can also be experienced temporarily under the influence of psychoactive drugs, sleep loss, or extreme stress. In this course, we discuss the symptoms and phenomenology of psychosis and how it manifests in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Students also learn about the various pathways of its development, with a focus on genetic and environmental influences, as well as possible treatment interventions. Students are challenged to confront their preexisting notions about psychosis and to develop understanding and empathy for those experiencing it.
Prerequisites: An introductory psychology course recommended.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1860
Pseudoscience and Mental Health
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26875 | Section 1
Description
In clinical psychology, it is essential to distinguish valid scientific claims from pseudoscientific ones so that we conduct research that is elucidating and provide treatments that work. This course teaches students the critical thinking skills necessary to identify the characteristics of pseudoscience, applying what they learn to evaluate popular, and often controversial, methods, assessments, and treatments within the field of clinical science. Controversies to be examined include the following: is the Rorschach inkblot test a valid measure of psychopathology? Is there such a thing as multiple personality disorder? Is it possible to remember events that did not actually occur? The critical thinking skills learned in this course can help students recognize bias and errors in their own research and that of others.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or permission of the instructor.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
PSYC E-1865
Psychopaths and Psychopathy
Ellsworth Lapham Fersch PhD, JD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25735 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on criminal as well as successful white-collar and street psychopaths. Topics include definitions of psychopathy and its relation to sociopathy and antisocial personality disorder; neuroscientific and psychological research into causation and treatment; similarities and differences among male and female psychopaths; social and media reaction; and legal responses. The course examines psychological and neuroscience research as well as case studies.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
PSYC E-1870
Law and Psychology
Ellsworth Lapham Fersch PhD, JD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16907 | Section 1
Description
This course compares legal and psychological approaches to human behavior and considers their interaction. Topics include criminal, ethnic, and racial profiling; confessions; the insanity defense; civil and criminal commitment; expert witnesses; eyewitness identification and testimony; juries; neuroscience; punishment and rehabilitation; sexual behavior; and victimless crimes. It analyzes the roles of lawyers and of psychologists, in theory and in practice, and focuses on case studies and on research.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
PSYC E-1871
Power and Privilege in Systems
Lindsey Davis PhD, Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology, William James College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16661 | Section 1
Description
This course looks at a variety of intersections between human psychology and the functioning of organizations and systems, with a focus on issues related to power and privilege. Students examine the role of psychological research in understanding and resolving systemic inequities. The differential treatment of individuals in a variety of systems (for example, criminal justice, health care, and education) are examined using social science research and case studies. These ideas are applied to analyze aspects of workplace culture and dynamics, including recruitment, retention, and conflict resolution. Students are encouraged to explore their own roles in these dynamics through self-reflection assignments and small and large group discussions. The final project requires students to work remotely in small groups to consult with an organization of their choosing regarding an identified issue related to equity and/or inclusion, using culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
PSYC E-1877
The Psychology of Cults
Bethany Burum PhD, Associate of the Department of Psychology and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17235 | Section 1
Description
In November of 1978, 909 members of the People’s Temple perished in Jonestown, Guyana. In March of 1997, 39 followers of the Heaven’s Gate cult died in a mass suicide, believing that their souls would join a spacecraft following the comet Hale-Bopp. In the 1960s and 70s, David Berg of the Children of God convinced his followers to abandon their monogamous marriages, encourage pedophilia, and allow their children to be sex trafficked. How do these things happen? This course explores the psychological mechanisms that enable cults to form and to take things to such extremes. What do cults share with other groups (mainstream religions, nations, and everyday social interactions), and what makes them stand apart? In what ways are cults an environment in which many of our psychological tendencies (toward ingroup conformity, heuristic decision making, and rationalization) are magnified? And what do cults reveal about the profound power of our social environment?
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
PSYC E-1880
Clinical Psychology
Nancy Hebben PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14782 | Section 1
Description
Clinical psychology is a diverse and compelling field that combines science and practice. Clinical psychologists research, assess, and treat mental illness. They work with people to help them adjust to challenges and deal with problems of everyday life. They can develop and use empirically validated treatments to alleviate suffering and to improve functioning. They also can assess human abilities and personality traits. This course provides a broad overview of the field and introduces students to topics such as the history of clinical psychology, professional activities of clinical psychologists, diagnosis and treatment, the role of science in clinical psychology, and current issues and ethics. The course also explores some of the most common mental illnesses. In addition, students learn about preparing and applying for graduate school in clinical psychology or related fields.
Prerequisites: Coursework in psychology, preferably abnormal psychology.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
PSYC E-1881
Applied Clinical Psychology
Cynthia A. Meyersburg PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26509 | Section 1
Description
Clinical psychology is a diverse and compelling field. Clinical psychologists research, assess, and treat mental illness. They work with people to help them adjust to challenges and heal after losses. They can develop and use empirically validated treatments to alleviate suffering and to improve functioning. They also can assess human abilities and personality traits. This course introduces students to clinical psychology, including topics such as the history of treatment and the role of science in clinical psychology. The course also explores some of the most common mental illnesses. We consider challenges and controversies in the field. In addition, we learn about preparing for graduate school in clinical psychology or related fields.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 50 students
PSYC E-2000
Case Studies in the Lives of Persons
Wynn Schwartz PhD, Lecturer on Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25693 | Section 1
Description
How do we go about understanding and describing the lives of persons? How can we empathetically depict a life that respects how people actually behave, how people come to be the way they are, and how people change? While acting more or less cognizant and intentionally, engaged in varied roles in multiple and complex communities, people encounter and construct their worlds. Working from a theory-neutral descriptive perspective designed for comparative theoretical approaches, we employ conceptual tools that facilitate an examination of the nuanced commonalities, differences, and significant through-lines in selected adults and then apply these concepts in constructing a psychological biography or autobiography.
Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
PSYC E-2340
Behavior Change Workshop
Rebecca Fortgang PhD, Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26677 | Section 1
Description
Absolutely everyone faces challenges with motivation and self-control this is part of being human. This intensive weekend course is designed to help students apply the science of goals, motivation, and self-control to a personal goal. Students are asked to choose one behavior change challenge to target over the course of two weeks (and hopefully beyond), using empirically-supported methods. This course brings together insights from psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, and behavioral economics to identify how we can break old habits and forge new ones, resist urges, and pursue valued changes in our lives.
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, April 12, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, April 13, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: March 28, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $1,050, graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-2451
Ethical Controversies in Psychology and Neuroscience
Nadine Weidman PhD, Lecturer on the History of Science, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16943 | Section 1
Description
Can brain scans really see your thoughts? Should your brain or your free will be held responsible for your behavior? Should psychoactive drugs be used to enhance our lives even to make us superhuman or only to treat illness? Psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience raise a host of ethical controversies, from their claim to peer into the privacy of the mind, to their applications in the criminal justice system, to their treatment of experimental subjects (both human and animal), to the myriad uses of artificial intelligence. Rather than attempting to determine the right answers, this course explores the scientific, social, and political issues, and the moral and religious values, that these questions involve. Readings include works by scientists, philosophers, historians, theologians, and ethicists. Students enact the roles of stakeholders in in-class debates on issues raised by the present-day technologies of mind and brain.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
PSYC E-300a
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation I
Mayron Piccolo PhD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17252 | Section 1
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed SSCI E-100a with a grade of B or higher to enroll in this course. PSYC E-300a and PSYC E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 201
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Sunday, November 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 201
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of PSYC E-300a, HUMA E-300a, and SSCI E-300a may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-300a
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation I
Adrienne Tierney EdD, Research Advisor in Psychology, Harvard Extension School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17023 | Section 2
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed SSCI E-100a with a grade of B or higher to enroll in this course. PSYC E-300a and PSYC E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, November 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of PSYC E-300a, HUMA E-300a, and SSCI E-300a may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-300b
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation II
Mayron Piccolo PhD, Lecturer on Psychology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26893 | Section 1
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Only students who have successfully completed PSYC E-300a in the fall with a grade of B-minus or higher may take this course. PSYC E-300a and PSYC E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 205
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: March 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of PSYC E-300b, HUMA E-300b, and SSCI E-300b may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-300b
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation II
Adrienne Tierney EdD, Research Advisor in Psychology, Harvard Extension School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26664 | Section 2
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Only students who have successfully completed PSYC E-300a in the fall with a grade of B-minus or higher may take this course. PSYC E-300a and PSYC E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 201
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 201
Term Start Date: March 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of PSYC E-300b, HUMA E-300b, and SSCI E-300b may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
PSYC E-597
Human Development Precapstone
Vladimir Ivkovic PhD, Instructor in Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16885 | Section 1
Description
The study of human development is interested in questions about how people learn, grow, and change. This course focuses on using human development research to improve or support human growth, development, and learning. The final paper of the semester is a written proposal for the capstone project (which includes a literature review, rationale, and stakes). Example capstone projects might include helping a public audience understand scientific findings, creating a professional development workshop on empathy for physicians, writing a curriculum to promote prosocial behavior in preschoolers, or designing a multimedia website to help workers transition into retirement. A successful proposal (which is the final product of the fall semester) is an evidence-based academic paper that convinces an audience not only that a strong need for your project exists, but that your project’s theory of change (that is, how you plan to take your learners from point A to point B) is rooted in the literature on human development and psychology. As students work on their capstone proposal, they are exposed to a broad range of literature on various topics in human development. Students learn to become rigorous consumers of the scholarship on human development. Each week, we examine a different topic, drawing on conceptual frameworks and review articles as well as empirical research.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, psychology who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, PSYC E-599, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
PSYC E-597c
Measuring the Mind: Precapstone in Psychometrics
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16604 | Section 1
Description
Psychometrics is just a fancy word for the assessment and measurement of psychological characteristics (skills, abilities, personality traits, knowledge, opinions, preferences, and attitudes). Political pollsters, survey writers, market researchers, teachers and trainers, and many others do this all the time without knowing they are doing psychometrics or that there is a whole field of theory and evidence-based insights into ways of doing it better. In this course, we survey the wide field of psychometrics, including principles of measurement, scale development, reliability and validity, and item response theory.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, psychology who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, PSYC E-599c, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
PSYC E-597d
Psychologist as Educator: Precapstone in Communicating Science through Public Engagement
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16605 | Section 1
Description
Translating scientific knowledge is a vital public service, and there is a large body of psychological and social science research that can have positive effects in people’s lives, such as the psychology of learning and habit change, positive psychology and improving well-being, psycho-education, and avoiding cognitive biases and logical fallacies. However, there are many barriers to effective education of the often technical and complex outputs of scientific research. In this course, we explore principles of learning and education, common barriers to understanding, effective teaching methods, and modes of communication in the modern world. During this course students devise, workshop, and revise a proposed capstone project. A successful proposal for a capstone project is an academic paper that highlights the need for your project and establishes a plan for your project’s implementation. A capstone project includes two components: the project prototype and the academic report. The prototype is a specific product designed to address a real-world problem. Prototypes can take a variety of forms (for example, an in-person workshop, online training, publishable article, application, informational website, book, or printable materials). Capstone projects build on specific interests of each student and are developed in consultation with the instructor.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, psychology, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, PSYC E-599d, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
PSYC E-597e
Theory and Research in Stress and Psychological Wellbeing Precapstone
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17238 | Section 1
Description
Scholarly writings around stress have uniquely addressed its evolutionary, biological, psychosocial, social, ecological, and cultural implications, epidemiology, maintenance, and management and reduction. The first of a two-semester sequence, the course bridges the science of stress with practical considerations for improving or supporting psychological well-being related to stress. The course culminates in a research paper that serves as the academic proposal for students’ spring semester capstone project. A successful proposal is an evidence-based academic paper that convinces an audience not only that a strong need for the project exists, but that the project’s theory of change (that is, how one plans to take learners from point A to point B) is rooted in the literature on stress. As students work on their capstone proposal, they are exposed to a broad range of literature on various topics on stress. Students learn to become rigorous consumers of the scholarship on stress as well as its relationship with psychological well-being. Each week, we examine a topic and review articles as well as empirical research.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, psychology, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, PSYC E-599e, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
PSYC E-597e
Theory and Research in Stress and Psychological Wellbeing Precapstone
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17290 | Section 2
Description
Scholarly writings around stress have uniquely addressed its evolutionary, biological, psychosocial, social, ecological, and cultural implications, epidemiology, maintenance, and management and reduction. The first of a two-semester sequence, the course bridges the science of stress with practical considerations for improving or supporting psychological well-being related to stress. The course culminates in a research paper that serves as the academic proposal for students’ spring semester capstone project. A successful proposal is an evidence-based academic paper that convinces an audience not only that a strong need for the project exists, but that the project’s theory of change (that is, how one plans to take learners from point A to point B) is rooted in the literature on stress. As students work on their capstone proposal, they are exposed to a broad range of literature on various topics on stress. Students learn to become rigorous consumers of the scholarship on stress as well as its relationship with psychological well-being. Each week, we examine a topic and review articles as well as empirical research.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, psychology, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, PSYC E-599e, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
PSYC E-599
Human Development Capstone
Vladimir Ivkovic PhD, Instructor in Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26505 | Section 1
Description
This course builds upon the foundation in human development established in PSYC E-597 by creating a capstone project that bridges research and practice. The project includes two components: the project prototype and the report. The prototype is the specific product designed according to developmental and learning principles and the report presents the scientific justification of the prototype by explaining the design choices according to the relevant literature. Prototypes can take two different forms. First, they can apply research to practices in order to facilitate learning or behavioral change (for example, curricular materials for an educational program for adolescents to stop smoking, materials for professional development workshops on teamwork). Second, they may communicate scholarship to specific audiences who would benefit from knowing the information (for example, a publishable article or a website explaining current research on emotion function or reasoning about risk for parents and teachers). Projects build on specific interests of each student and are developed in consultation with the instructor. These specialized projects allow the students to seek a practical application in a narrow sub-field of human development, while simultaneously becoming acquainted with new research presented in PSYC E-599 and deepening their understanding of the topics covered in PSYC E-597. The capstone project culminates with a formal presentation of the students’ projects.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, psychology. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, PSYC E-597, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
PSYC E-599c
Measuring the Mind: Capstone in Psychometrics
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26192 | Section 1
Description
This course builds upon the foundation established in PSYC E-597c by leading students through the execution of their fall term proposal plan. The final assignments for this term in completion of the capstone are: the capstone prototype (the specific product designed to address the real-world problem identified in the fall term proposal), the capstone report (an academic, thesis-style paper reporting on the capstone prototype), and the capstone presentation (a conference-style, oral presentation of the completed capstone).
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, psychology. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, PSYC E-597c, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
PSYC E-599d
Psychologist as Educator: Capstone in Communicating Science through Public Engagement
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26193 | Section 1
Description
This course builds upon the foundation established in PSYC E-597d by leading students through the execution of their fall term proposal plan. The final assignments for this term in completion of the capstone are: the capstone prototype (the specific product designed to address the real-world problem identified in the fall term proposal), the capstone report (an academic, thesis-style paper reporting on the capstone prototype), and the capstone presentation (a conference-style, oral presentation of the completed capstone).
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, psychology. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, PSYC E-597d, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
PSYC E-599e
Bridging Science and Practice in Stress and Psychological Wellbeing Capstone
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26873 | Section 1
Description
This course builds upon the foundation established in PSYC E-597e by creating a capstone project that bridges research and practice. The project includes two components: the project prototype and the report. The prototype is the specific product designed according to psychological well-being and learning principles, and the report presents the scientific justification of the prototype by explaining the design choices according to the relevant literature. Projects build on specific interests of each student and are developed in consultation with the instructor. These specialized projects allow the students to seek a practical application in a narrow sub-field of stress and psychological well-being. The capstone project culminates in a formal presentation of student work.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, psychology. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, PSYC E-597e, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
PSYC E-599e
Bridging Science and Practice in Stress and Psychological Wellbeing Capstone
Deborah R. Phillips PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26926 | Section 2
Description
This course builds upon the foundation established in PSYC E-597e by creating a capstone project that bridges research and practice. The project includes two components: the project prototype and the report. The prototype is the specific product designed according to psychological well-being and learning principles, and the report presents the scientific justification of the prototype by explaining the design choices according to the relevant literature. Projects build on specific interests of each student and are developed in consultation with the instructor. These specialized projects allow the students to seek a practical application in a narrow sub-field of stress and psychological well-being. The capstone project culminates in a formal presentation of student work.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, psychology. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, PSYC E-597e, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
RELI E-1010
World Religions
Aaron Spevack PhD, Senior Research Associate and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University and Associate of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16100 | Section 1
Description
This course seeks to introduce students to a variety of religious traditions, texts, and practices through the lenses provided by the academic study of religion. The traditions studied include Islam, Taoism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Rastafari(ism). Topics studied include liminal states and rites of passage, symbols and social belonging, the sacred and the profane, music and trance, and religion and politics. While this course exposes students to some of the most important figures, texts, beliefs, and practices of these traditions, students also develop analytical frameworks of inquiry through which to contemplate and experience religious concepts and practices provided by the various theorists of the academic study of religion along with comparative insider frameworks of analysis.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
RELI E-1047
Religion, the Arts, and Social Change
Diane L. Moore PhD, Lecturer on Religion, Conflict, and Peace, and Associate Dean of Religion and Public Life, Harvard Divinity School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23531 | Section 1
Description
Through historical and contemporary case studies, this course examines the intersection of religion and politics through the lens of the arts. What do particular artistic expressions reveal about religious influences and worldviews within specific social and historical contexts? How do political assumptions about religion and culture influence artistic expression? Genres may include literature, poetry, visual art, music, theater, and dance. The course is divided into roughly four segments. The first segment consists of an introduction of the tools of analysis and the methods that are employed for our exploration of the intersections among religion, the arts, and social change. The second segment focuses on two case studies in depth: the Christian Passion story in historic and contemporary representations, and contemporary Palestinian artists. The third segment consists of a series of shorter case studies chosen by the class from among several options. The fourth segment focuses on the construction and presentation of individual final projects that can take the form of either a personal artistic creation representing the themes of the course or a new case study.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
RELI E-1058
Enlightenment: Horizons of Human Potential and Flourishing
Chris Berlin MDiv, Instructor in Spiritual Counseling and Buddhist Ministry and Counselor to Buddhist Students, Harvard Divinity School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16941 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on the concept of enlightenment in south and central Asian traditions, such as Buddhism and contemplative Hindu beliefs, as well as Western psychological views within transpersonal and humanistic approaches. Themes include theories of consciousness, the distinctions between terms associated with enlightened states, meditation practices, and horizons of ultimate human potential and personal resilience. We also explore these themes in the context of therapeutic well-being and how personal aspirations of transcendence may impact individuals in clinical contexts. Key questions include: how does the understanding of enlightenment provide a view of hope for human flourishing? What practices support such a state? How do the names we give such experiences and their correlate states serve to describe direct experiences of transcendence in meditation? And how might notions of self-realization and higher consciousness impact one’s sense of well-being, flourishing, and ultimate purpose?
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 8:00pm-10:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
RELI E-1260
Religious Nationalisms
Diane L. Moore PhD, Lecturer on Religion, Conflict, and Peace, and Associate Dean of Religion and Public Life, Harvard Divinity School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26908 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we examine how forms of religious nationalism are at play in explicit and implicit ways in diverse global contexts and in trans-global manifestations. In the first part of the course, students are introduced to a method for how to understand and analyze the distinctions between secular and religious nationalisms, and the ways that those representations often mask forces critical for interrogating the variety of influences that shape policies and practices in modern nation states. We then apply those methodological frameworks to a variety of case studies including the United States, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and either Myanmar or India (to be determined by student interest). Final projects can take one of three forms: a research paper employing the method focusing on a nation state case study that we did not cover in class; a research paper investigating a particular aspect of a case study that we did engage; or a project related to a student’s profession focused on a relevant translation of their learning (for example, a journalism article, a policy brief for a government entity or nongovernmental organization [NGO], a unit plan for a secondary or higher education curriculum, or an adult education series for a religious organization). This course is open to all but especially relevant for professionals or pre-professionals in government, NGOs, international relations, education, journalism, or religious leadership.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
RELI E-1436
The Spanish Inquisition
Samuel J. Garcia PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26899 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we consider the history and legacy of the Spanish Inquisition, which existed for some 356 years (1478-1834) and operated in both Spain and Spain’s colonies overseas. To this end, we examine not only the historical record itself (for example, transcripts of actual trials and case studies), but also various depictions of the Inquisition found in imaginative media (art, literature, and film). Our subject, then, is the Spanish Inquisition both real and imagined. Why did this institution arise in the first place? How did it survive for as long as it did? And does the legend of the Spanish Inquisition match its history?
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 19 students
RELI E-1520
Religion, Conflict, and Peace in Contemporary Global Affairs
Diane L. Moore PhD, Lecturer on Religion, Conflict, and Peace, and Associate Dean of Religion and Public Life, Harvard Divinity School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17271 | Section 1
Description
In this course, we explore a series of contemporary conflicts in different regions of the world with a special focus on identifying and analyzing the diverse and complex roles that religions play in both promoting and mitigating violence in each context. Students learn a method for recognizing and analyzing how religious ideologies are embedded in all arenas of human agency and not isolated from political, economic, and cultural life as is often assumed. In addition to examining the conflicts themselves, we also explore the religious dimensions of the impacts those conflicts have on civic life in areas such as public health, education, and commerce. What roles do religions play in fostering violence and what roles do they play in promoting peace? How do religious institutions and ideologies function to support and/or thwart public health initiatives? What are the ideological justifications for functional economic policies and how do they reflect and/or challenge diverse religious values? What roles do religions play in advancing or suppressing educational opportunities and for whom? Are media representations of the religious dimensions of conflict accurate? Countries of focus are drawn from Brazil, France, Israel and Palestine, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria, and the United States, though new case studies are being developed and may be included. Final projects are individually shaped based on interest and (where relevant) professional focus. The course is open to all and especially relevant for aspiring or professional educators, journalists, public health workers, foreign service officers, and government officials who wish to better understand how religions function in contemporary world affairs.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
RELI E-1523
Narratives of Displacement and Belonging in Israel and Palestine
Diane L. Moore PhD, Lecturer on Religion, Conflict, and Peace, and Associate Dean of Religion and Public Life, Harvard Divinity School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17279 | Section 1
Description
In this course we examine a diversity of narratives regarding displacement and belonging in Israel and Palestine. Through engagement with history, film, memoir, literature, and the arts, students hear diverse examples of what sociologist Ariel Hochschild calls “deep stories” that frame how individuals and communities make sense of their worlds. In our investigation, we draw upon critical theory to analyze the confluence of factors that shape how some deep stories rise to social and political prominence, while others are obscured; explore the historic roots of current narratives; and examine how an understanding of conflicting deep stories can provide fresh avenues of insight for those working to foster just peace in the region. Special attention is given to the roles that religious ideologies and institutions play in shaping diverse narratives.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
RELI E-1701
Mindfulness, Meaning, and Resilience
Chris Berlin MDiv, Instructor in Spiritual Counseling and Buddhist Ministry and Counselor to Buddhist Students, Harvard Divinity School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16166 | Section 1
Description
Mindfulness is a way of attending to the experience of the present moment with full awareness and without judgment or reactivity. Studies show the benefits of mindfulness include stress reduction, emotional balance, greater mental focus, and increased physical well-being. This introductory course explores the origins of mindfulness in Buddhist philosophy and how it can promote these states, as well as foster greater resilience especially during challenging times. We also discuss its present-day interface with Western psychology, how mindfulness is being applied in clinical contexts, and the role that meaning plays in mindfulness practice and building resilience.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:00pm-10:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
RELI E-1702
Compassion, Science, and the Contemplative Arts
Chris Berlin MDiv, Instructor in Spiritual Counseling and Buddhist Ministry and Counselor to Buddhist Students, Harvard Divinity School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25923 | Section 1
Description
Recent research shows significant benefits from cultivating empathy and compassion, ranging from physiological changes and brain biology to psychological and emotional well-being. Mindfulness and contemplative practices in Buddhism that emphasize compassion are also increasingly being integrated into Western clinical approaches for mental health. Other studies document the obstacles to compassion that can arise from experiencing fear and prolonged adversity, making it a challenge for some to value empathy, altruistic behavior, and the desire to alleviate suffering for others. This course draws on trends in mindfulness and the Buddhist view of compassion in theory and practice, as well as on scientific research, to explore how compassion can be applied to clinical contexts as informed by contemplative approaches. We also consider notions of compassion fatigue, self-compassion, compassion training for trauma, and its impact on neuroplasticity.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
RELI E-1730
Mindfulness, AI, and Ethics: Cultivating the Heart of the Algorithm
Chris Berlin MDiv, Instructor in Spiritual Counseling and Buddhist Ministry and Counselor to Buddhist Students, Harvard Divinity School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26905 | Section 1
Description
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications have given rise to a myriad of questions about the nature and limits of intelligence, as well as the ethical implications of the evolution of technology for what it means to be human in the age of AI. Alongside these developments, the prevalence of mindfulness in secular society has grown to enhance well-being, flourishing, and insights into mind, suffering, and ultimate agency. This course explores the application of mindfulness to ethical, social, emotional, existential, and developmental frameworks for AI, as well as considers definitions of intelligence and theories of consciousness, agency, and meaning making to better understand human-to-machine interactions relative to human-to-human interactions. Inquiry also draws on the Buddhist roots behind mindfulness including its texts, theories, and practices for exploring the complex worlds of the nature of mind, consciousness, attention, memory, interconnectedness, and the mind-body connection. We also emphasize such themes as empathy, compassion, and creativity on machine learning, as well as practices and design algorithms prizing ultimate human flourishing for multiple settings. Fundamental questions explored include: how can mindfulness enhance our awareness of AI’s impact on our inner lives and society? As our information systems increasingly become extensions of ourselves, how might we individually and collectively contribute to a more mindful, peaceful, and healthy world through these technologies? And as AI becomes an extension of our collective mind, how do we infuse it with empathy, compassion, and ethical responsibility?
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
SOCI E-143
Refugees: Forced Migration in Global Perspective
Danilo Mandic PhD, Associate Senior Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26572 | Section 1
Description
What does it mean to lose your home? Who are refugees? Why are there so many forced migrants in our world? How are they displaced? Where do they travel, and why? This course inquires into the nature, causes, and consequences of contemporary refugee waves in our globalized world. Students survey regional dynamics in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. We examine the particularities of refugees (compared to other migrants) and the changing nature of forced migration since the second world war. Students explore historical precedents to contemporary waves, learn about different host society approaches to asylum, compare government and criminal mechanisms of forced migration, and examine the reasons refugees are the object of increasing suspicion and hostility around the world. Particular attention is paid to the recent European Union crisis, the role of refugee camps in the twenty-first century, and alternative strategies for global asylum management by bridge and destination countries.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Sociology 1186. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12-1:15 pm starting January 28 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
SOCI E-146
Work and Culture
Rachel Meyer PhD, Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26906 | Section 1
Description
This course looks at work and culture from both the bottom-up and the top-down. What does work mean from the perspective of workers versus employers, and when do these perspectives align or diverge? Under what circumstances are work cultures a source of identity, meaning, and fulfillment? How are they used for control and domination? We examine the varieties of culture at work by comparing corporate culture, craft culture, and caring labor. The course then turns to contemporary forms of work characterized by flexibility, contingency, and insecurity. We examine flexibility in working-class jobs and gig work alongside parallel developments among high-tech engineers and investment bankers. How does flexible labor shape workers’ identities? What does it mean to be an independent contractor or entrepreneur in finance versus trucking? How is joblessness and unemployment experienced in different contexts? Lastly, we examine workplace collectivities and how they relate to conflict on the job. How do cultures of solidarity compare among factory workers, gig workers, service workers, tech professionals, and teachers? The course focuses mainly on work in the United States with some attention to comparative context. Throughout the course we explore class-based differences in work cultures, which at times are significant and salient and at other times seem to disappear.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
SOCI E-194
Introduction to Political Sociology
Danilo Mandic PhD, Associate Senior Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26907 | Section 1
Description
Politics is about power and authority. But the production, conservation, and distribution of power and authority occur far beyond Capitol Hill; it features in family dynamics, neighborhoods, schools, welfare policies, social movements, nation-states, and the globalized economy. In this course, we examine such areas using the theoretical framework and analytic tools of political sociology. We ask such questions as: what is power exactly, and how can we measure it empirically? How do class, race, and gender affect power relations? Where did the nation-state as we know it come from? What kinds of social movements are there and how do they produce change? How does capitalism relate to the state and civil society? Where did the welfare state come from, and what kinds are there? Who are the elites and rulers, and how would we know? What are some forces of exclusion or discrimination in democratic society? What is globalization and how do we best explain it? The course is divided into five parts according to the following major themes: foundations, the nation-state, capitalism, democracy, and the big picture of global processes.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Sociology 1023. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-10:15 am starting January 27 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
SPAN E-1
Intensive Elementary Spanish I
Douglas Morgenstern MA, Senior Lecturer in Spanish, Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 10266 | Section 1
Description
An introduction to oral and written Spanish for students with little or no background in the language. Assignments involve work with an online textbook and occasional videos. Class sessions focus on additional instructor-supplied exercises, conversation, listening comprehension, and reading. Grammar includes present and past tenses.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
SPAN E-1a
Elementary Spanish I
Catalina Espinosa Villaquirán PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17280 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introductory course in Spanish. The four skills listening, speaking, reading and writing are covered, although particular emphasis is placed on speaking and listening. At the end of the semester, students are able to speak about themselves and their environment; to introduce themselves and other people; to ask questions and provide information about people, objects, and places; to talk about their daily activities and how to organize their time; as well as to express what their present obligations and needs are and what plans they have for the future.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, September 6-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SPAN E-1b
Elementary Spanish I
Catalina Espinosa Villaquirán PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 21497 | Section 1
Description
This course is the second part of an introductory course in Spanish as a foreign language. At the end of the semester, students are able to talk about their current activities, their likes and dislikes, as well as to express their feelings and opinions and make comparisons. Their knowledge of the verbal system is also enlarged with the introduction of more irregular verbs and the preterit, which enables them to speak about their past experiences. Core grammar points such as the use of direct and indirect object pronouns and the difference between ser and estar are also covered.
Prerequisites: SPAN E-1a or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $780, undergraduate credit $1,050.
Credits: 2
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SPAN E-2
Intensive Elementary Spanish II
Mary-Anne Vetterling PhD, Professor of Spanish, Emerita, Regis College
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13968 | Section 1
Description
This course emphasizes oral and written communication using additional language structures, including the future and conditional tenses and the subjunctive mood. Students communicate using role-play and other interpersonal activities. They also read short pieces on modern Spanish culture and write compositions on topics of personal interest.
Prerequisites: SPAN E-1, SPAN E-1b, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SPAN E-2
Intensive Elementary Spanish II
Douglas Morgenstern MA, Senior Lecturer in Spanish, Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 20240 | Section 1
Description
This course presents additional language structures, including more ways to express the past, the subjunctive mood, and the future and conditional tenses. Assignments involve work with an online textbook, several feature films and documentaries, and websites from Spain and Latin America. Class sessions focus on instructor-supplied exercises, conversation, discussion, listening comprehension, and reading.
Prerequisites: SPAN E-1, SPAN E-1b, or the equivalent.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, Thursdays, January 28-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
SPCH E-100
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Jill A. Slye ALB, Associate in the MMSc in Dental Education Program, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 13666 | Section 1
Description
This course covers the basic principles of public speaking. Students learn how to handle nerves, organize and deliver a formal presentation, and use verbal and non-verbal communication to connect with their audience. During the course, students learn to use their own communication style while adapting their message for a variety of audiences. Students present several speeches in a safe and comfortable environment. Throughout the semester lectures focus on use of language, narratives, vocal variation, basic techniques for public speaking, and effective methods to overcome the fear of speaking in front of a large audience or small group of people.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Friday, December 6, 5:30pm-8:30pm, 1 Story Street 304
Saturday, December 7, 9:00am-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Sunday, December 8, 9:00am-1:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 48 students
SPCH E-100
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Jill A. Slye ALB, Associate in the MMSc in Dental Education Program, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25036 | Section 1
Description
This course teaches participants the techniques of capturing and maintaining the attention of an audience by focusing on the content and delivery aspects of public address. Each student has the opportunity to present several speeches.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 9:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 48 students
SPCH E-120
Advanced Public Speaking and Professional Presenting
Jill A. Slye ALB, Associate in the MMSc in Dental Education Program, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24704 | Section 1
Description
This course covers advanced public speaking techniques for persuasion, effective interoffice communication, and connecting with an audience. Students learn to use their own communication style while adapting their message for a variety of audiences. Students present several speeches and receive peer review. Throughout the semester lectures include a focus on use of language, narratives, vocal variation, techniques for persuasion, and effective communication in the workplace.
Prerequisites: SPCH E-100 or the equivalent. Students must watch the seven short videos on the course website, available the first week of class.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference with Required On-Campus Weekend
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, 1 Story Street 304
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, 1 Story Street 304
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Along with the web-conference meetings, this course also includes an intensive—and mandatory—weekend residency. Students must be present for the entire on-campus weekend session to earn credit for the course. The course begins via web conference during the first week of the term and continues to meet throughout the term. Please see the syllabus for the specific course meeting dates. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals for the on-campus weekend session. International students see important visa information.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 48 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Steven Raymond Boomhower PhD, Principal Toxicologist, Gradient
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16155 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Kelsey Quigley PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17265 | Section 2
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Bethany Burum PhD, Associate of the Department of Psychology and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17264 | Section 3
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Richard Joseph Martin PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15914 | Section 4
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Bethany Burum PhD, Associate of the Department of Psychology and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17268 | Section 5
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Richard Joseph Martin PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17292 | Section 6
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 7:40pm-9:40pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Steven Raymond Boomhower PhD, Principal Toxicologist, Gradient
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26513 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Richard Joseph Martin PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25250 | Section 3
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Bethany Burum PhD, Associate of the Department of Psychology and Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26734 | Section 4
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Kelsey Quigley PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26904 | Section 5
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Steven Raymond Boomhower PhD, Principal Toxicologist, Gradient
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26945 | Section 6
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100a
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
Kelsey Quigley PhD, Preceptor in Expository Writing, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26946 | Section 7
Description
This proseminar introduces students to basic behavioral science research methods in psychology and anthropology. It teaches them how to read and evaluate research papers and translate their ideas into viable research projects. Topics include library and archival research, scholarly writing and argumentation, descriptive research methods, quasi-experimental and experimental design, ethical issues, and analytical methods. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate statistics and research methods courses are recommended, computer literacy (skills and experience with the internet, Word, and Excel) required. Students must receive a satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Michael Tworek PhD, Associate, Department of History, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16485 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Asher Orkaby PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 14601 | Section 2
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Harry Bastermajian PhD, Executive Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17256 | Section 3
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Doug Bond PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17261 | Section 4
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Doug Bond PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16062 | Section 5
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Stephen Shoemaker PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25710 | Section 1
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, January 6-25, 9:00am-12:00pm
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Doug Bond PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26721 | Section 2
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Doug Bond PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26903 | Section 3
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Asher Orkaby PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24558 | Section 4
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, January 28-May 17, 8:10pm-10:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-100b
Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Government, History, and International Relations
Ariane Liazos PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25142 | Section 5
Description
This proseminar addresses problems and methods related to the study of government, history, and international relations. It stresses the critical analysis of sources, constructing explanatory models, standards of logical demonstration, as well as organizing and presenting research results. Emphasis is on developing both writing and research skills. Students study essential categories of analysis used in history and political science. Because skills learned in this course are useful in subsequent courses, it is the first course that prospective Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) candidates should take toward the degree (or the second, if they are completing the expository writing prerequisite). While not designed to be a thesis or capstone proposal course, this course does serve as a foundation for eventual work on the thesis or capstone.
Prerequisites: A satisfactory score on the mandatory test of critical reading and writing skills or a B or higher grade in the alternate expository writing course. EXPO E-42b is strongly recommended. In addition, at the first class meeting, students must complete a writing assignment that demonstrates their graduate-level reading comprehension and ability to write coherent, logical arguments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 11:00am-1:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 15 students
SSCI E-116
Human Nature
Joe Henrich PhD, Ruth Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology, Harvard University
Cameron M. Curtin PhD, Lecturer in Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17259 | Section 1
Description
In addressing the question of what makes us human, this course examines the origins, evolutionary foundations, and psychological underpinnings of human behavior by synthesizing research from across the social, psychological, and biological sciences. Rather than opposing biological and cultural explanations, this course lays out a framework that illuminates learning and culture within a broad evolutionary framework that permits us to explore kinship, parental love, sibling rivalry, food preferences (such as sugar and salt), incest, altruism, sex differences, social status, homicide, warfare technology, language, and religion. Using a comparative approach, we contextualize human behavior by examining both studies of non-human primates, especially chimpanzees, as well as the full breadth of human diversity, including both ethnographic and experimental data from hunter-gatherers, herders and agriculturalists, and the most unusual of all people from industrialized societies. We also consider how cultural evolution has shaped our genetic evolution, both over our species evolutionary history and in more recent millennia.
Class Meetings:
Online
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Gen Ed 1056. Registered students can ordinarily live stream the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45 am starting September 4 or they can watch them on demand. The recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day. Class sessions for this course may include students enrolled in the FAS companion course. Accordingly, when you participate in live class sessions, you will do so alongside both Division of Continuing Education (DCE) and FAS students. If you participate in a way that causes you to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to DCE students enrolled in this course or FAS students enrolled in the companion course, according to the policies of the two schools on accessing recordings of class sessions.
SSCI E-121
Dying Well
Jason Bryan Silverstein PhD, Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine and Co-Director, Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health Program, Harvard Medical School
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 15512 | Section 1
Description
“How does one go about dying?” the poet Franz Wright asked. “The world is filled with people / Who have never died.” For a matter so inevitable, which the best minds of every generation have tackled, a good death seems increasingly out of reach. As modern medicine racks up victories to ensure healthier and longer lives, a quieter, darker parallel story is emerging in even our finest hospitals: people die anxious and in pain, pursuing long-shot treatments instead of comfort. Why is dying so difficult and how can we make death a better experience for others, and ultimately ourselves? This course examines notions of identity, hope, and what counts as a good outcome through a close reading of Paul Kalanithi’s dying memoir When Breath Becomes Air and Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal. It then turns to how we make sense of suffering, anticipate and practice grief, and care for the memories of the dead through a reading of Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H-Mart and Emily Rapp’s The Still Point of the Turning World. Finally, we consider philosophical reflections on mortality, including if death is bad, how death should change the way we live, and why we ought to strive to live and die with gratitude.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
SSCI E-122
Social Medicine in the United States
Jason Bryan Silverstein PhD, Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine and Co-Director, Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health Program, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 25126 | Section 1
Description
If you are sick or hurt, whether you live or die depends not only on biological factors, but social ones: are you wealthy or poor? Do you have a stable home and health insurance? How far away is the closest trauma center or pharmacy? Do people believe your illness is your fault, or even something you deserve? This course explores how social factors create health disparities in the United States. We gain foundational knowledge of key concepts in social medicine, including an overview of health care policy in the United States and the arguments for health as a human right. We then turn to what we can call chronic emergencies: case studies of people and communities who have been denied health care and allowed to suffer and die, because they are poor, uninsured, undocumented, or otherwise social outcasts. Our examples are drawn from across the United States, from the eviction crisis in Milwaukee, to injection drug users in San Francisco, to the people who endure gang violence in Chicago, to the suffering of Mexican migrants in California. We give significant attention to the lived experience of poverty, housing insecurity, addiction, discrimination, and violence. As we encounter these examples, we engage directly with guest speakers from the community. In the final section, we turn from studying how harm falls unevenly to considering how social determinants can be incorporated into action plans; students apply the themes and concepts from the course to explore topics of their own choosing. By the end of the course, students not only have a knowledge of concepts and case studies in social medicine, but also knowledge about how to close the gaps that we study. For premedical students, this course reviews concepts found on the psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior section of the MCAT, including how sociocultural factors and access to resources have an impact on health.
Class Meetings:
Online or On Campus
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:40pm-7:40pm, One Brattle Square 205
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: Students can attend in person on campus, participate live online at the time the class meets via web conference, or watch the recorded video asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
SSCI E-128
Health Inequities and Health Justice in Urban Communities
Flavia Perea PhD, Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26185 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the relationship between health, place, and social location, and how nested factors influence and determine the health of people and communities in urban settings. Emphasizing health as multidimensional, contextual, and socially determined, we explore the history, principles, theories, and frameworks relevant to understanding inequities in health, as well as tools and strategies for advancing justice in health across sectors of civic and community life. We explore how inequity gets under the skin and operates on the body; discuss how racism, oppression, social stratification, and systemic advantages and disadvantages all structure and perpetuate injustice in health; how systems, institutions, and policies influence health. To understand how socio-environmental factors can create pathways to health or disparities, we explore the mechanisms by which poverty, socioeconomic status, education, housing, and the built environment create and sustain inequitable health outcomes in urban communities. Understanding the social conditions people need to be healthy, we turn our attention to approaches for advancing justice in health, with particular attention to root-cause strategies. We explore community development, capacity building, and community mobilization as strategies for building power for health. We discuss health improvement interventions and how community engagement, participatory processes, and cross-sector collaboration can help create and sustain health promoting environments.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SSCI E-129
Child Health in America and Around the World
Judith S. Palfrey MD, T. Berry Brazelton Professor of Pediatrics, Emerita and Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine, Emerita, Harvard Medical School, and Honorary Associate of Adams House, Harvard College
Sean Palfrey MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health Emeritus, Boston University, and Honorary Associate of Adams House Emeritus, Harvard College
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26461 | Section 1
Description
This course focuses on children and adolescents and looks at factors that have an impact on their health, growth, and development. Increasingly, it is understood that child health depends on a complex of interrelated factors. Biologic and genetic issues are very important in determining children’s health status. Societal, environmental, community, and family factors also play a major role in child health outcomes. We focus on social concerns such as economic status, class, race, and ethnicity. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called out poverty and racism as actual pathogens. We explore the American healthcare system and ask why in the richest country in the world, our child health outcomes are measured near the bottom in comparison with other industrialized nations and our black infant mortality remains twice that of white infant mortality. In light of the recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pay special attention to the impact of infections on children and compare the US response with that of other countries. We also look at the history of infectious disease outbreaks and the ways that these have been controlled and ultimately prevented. Finally, the course emphasizes the importance of team approaches among people from multiple backgrounds and organizations. Increasingly, we are understanding that if the threats to child health live in the society and community, so do the answers. We discuss strength-based approaches and the shifting of power and agency to families and communities and learn how hope and accentuating the positive are new approaches that are beginning to have success in the promotion of child health.
Prerequisites: Interest in children and adolescent health and development. Familiarity with population-based data sets is helpful but not required.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
SSCI E-140
Pursuing Truth and Justice: Community-Based, Participatory, and Action Research
Flavia Perea PhD, Lecturer on Sociology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16600 | Section 1
Description
This course explores the principles and methods of community-based, participatory, and action research. We engage with various perspectives on the process, practice, and applications of engaged inquiry, with an emphasis on diverse voices, sources, and materials. The course seeks to connect to students’ professional work and personal pursuits outside of their coursework. Through this course, students learn to apply the course concepts and tools to their academic and professional work, as well as to advocacy and organizing efforts they may be engaged or interested with. In the course we discuss various frameworks and systems of knowing and meaning making through the research process; how they are centered on, or the extent they intersect with the pursuit of equity and justice; and pragmatic approaches for moving from theory to practice. We discuss power and privilege in the context of research; perspectives on investigator identity and location; the promise and limitations of engaged inquiry to help advance social change; and the ethics of inquiry with historically and systemically oppressed people and communities. We explore a variety of approaches, including participatory action research (PAR), community-based participatory research (CBPR), and citizen science, and discuss how different approaches for asking questions, methods for gathering and analyzing information, and sharing knowledge can be applied within various engaged research approaches. Ultimately, we critically examine how inquiry that emphasizes equity, collaboration, and reciprocity in the uncovering, integration, application, and dissemination of knowledge can be a tool of liberation and certain methods a strategy for responding to oppression, colonization, and systems of domination.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
SSCI E-144
Leadership and Politics
John Paul Rollert PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Behavioral Science, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
George Jacob Wendt JD, Consultant
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26456 | Section 1
Description
American politics, in general, and presidential campaigns, in particular, hold many lessons for leading for-profit and not-for-profit start-up ventures. Capital must be raised; a large, diverse team must be organized and deployed; and a brand must be developed and sold. The hours are long, the pressure is incredibly intense, and the stakes could not be higher. Succeed, and you are on your way to a plumb job in Washington, DC. Fail, and you are left looking for a job. Accordingly, popular politics provides remarkable lessons in compelling leadership and successful management. This course aims to harvest them by way of an analysis of recent presidential campaigns and contemporary politics. Though emphasis is placed on American politics, lessons may be applied across the public and private sectors. Our readings are drawn from history, literature, philosophy, business, and politics, and in addition to lectures and discussion, the course also features guest speakers from business, journalism, and politics. Students may not take both GOVT E-1353 (offered previously) and SSCI E-144 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
On campus only
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 6-9, 9:00am-5:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: January 06, 2025
Tuition:
Undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: International students see important visa information.
SSCI E-145
Race, Gender, and Medicine
Roberto Sirvent PhD, Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine, Part-time, Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26898 | Section 1
Description
Why is racism so prevalent in hospitals and other health care settings? What unique challenges do transgender and gender-diverse youth face as a result of recent transphobic laws and policies? How are community organizers advocating for the end of medical neglect, abuse, and torture in prisons and migrant detention facilities? By centering issues of gender, race, and sexuality, social approaches to medicine and public health challenge and expand contemporary debates in the medical humanities. This course provides an overview of the theoretical landscape and social movements that ground recent developments in the field, especially as it engages feminist theory, disability justice movements, critical race theory, queer theory, anti-colonial thought, and trans liberation movements. Special attention is paid to the structuring force of anti-Blackness in various clinical and research settings, the development and racialization of transgender medicine, and what it means to view state violence as an issue in public health and the medical humanities. Students may not take SSCI E-145 and SWGS S-1232 for degree or certificate credit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Fridays, January 31-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 30 students
SSCI E-173
Self, Society, and Politics
Nicolas Prevelakis PhD, Associate Senior Lecturer on Social Studies, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26289 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the main ways in which the relationship between self, society, and politics has been conceptualized in major sociological and philosophical texts. What are the political implications of different ways of understanding the self? Is it fair to talk about a western individualistic tradition? And how do recent technological changes affect our understanding of who we are and how we interact? The course relies on readings of classical texts, from sociology, anthropology, philosophy, and history. It includes primary texts (Plato, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud, mile Durkheim, W.E.B. Du Bois, Michel Foucault, and Judith Butler), as well as recent sociological studies. Particular emphasis is placed on the ways in which social and political theorists have used conceptions of the self as foundation for their views of society and politics.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 45 students
SSCI E-300a
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation I
Doug Bond PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17270 | Section 1
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed SSCI E-100b with a grade of B or higher to enroll in this course. SSCI E-300a and SSCI E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 202
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Sunday, November 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 202
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of SSCI E-300a, HUMA E-300a, and PSYC E-300a may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
SSCI E-300a
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation I
Ariane Liazos PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17022 | Section 2
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed SSCI E-100b with a grade of B or higher to enroll in this course. SSCI E-300a and SSCI E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, November 15, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Harvard Hall 105
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am-5:00pm, Harvard Hall 105
Sunday, November 17, 9:00am-1:00pm, Harvard Hall 105
Term Start Date: November 01, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of SSCI E-300a, HUMA E-300a, and PSYC E-300a may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
SSCI E-300b
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation II
Doug Bond PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26911 | Section 1
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Only students who have successfully completed SSCI E-300a in the fall with a grade of B-minus or higher may take this course. SSCI E-300a and SSCI E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, 1 Story Street 306
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, 1 Story Street 306
Term Start Date: March 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of SSCI E-300b, HUMA E-300b, and PSYC E-300b may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
SSCI E-300b
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation II
Ariane Liazos PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26663 | Section 2
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Only students who have successfully completed SSCI E-300a in the fall with a grade of B-minus or higher may take this course. SSCI E-300a and SSCI E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, One Brattle Square 204
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, One Brattle Square 204
Term Start Date: March 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of SSCI E-300b, HUMA E-300b, and PSYC E-300b may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
SSCI E-300b
Engaging in the Scholarly Conversation II
Michael David Miner PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26924 | Section 3
Description
This course trains students in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in their field of study. They learn how to assess the presuppositions, argumentation, methodology, evidence, and conclusions of scholarly writing in their discipline. After building that foundational skill set, the second portion of the course focuses on how to identify patterns, debates, and schools of thought in the larger body of existing scholarship relevant to the students’ interests, which is an essential precursor of the final goal: identifying gaps or opportunities for future scholarly contributions.
Prerequisites: Only students who have successfully completed SSCI E-300a in the fall with a grade of B-minus or higher may take this course. SSCI E-300a and SSCI E-300b must be completed before registering in the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial for thesis-track students and prior to the precapstone course for capstone-track students. We strongly advise students to complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
Class Meetings:
Active Learning Weekend
Friday, April 4, 5:30pm-8:30pm, 1 Story Street 302
Saturday, April 5, 9:00am-5:00pm, 1 Story Street 302
Sunday, April 6, 9:00am-1:00pm, 1 Story Street 302
Term Start Date: March 21, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $1,670.
Credits: 2
Notes: Students must be present for the entire three-day weekend to earn credit for this course. Additional requirements before and after the on-campus weekend are noted in the syllabus. Tuition does not include hotel accommodations, transportation, or meals. International students see important visa information. Students in this and other sections of SSCI E-300b, HUMA E-300b, and PSYC E-300b may interact with one another, for example, in Canvas or class sessions. Accordingly, when students participate in live class sessions, they may do so alongside students in those courses. If students participate in a way that causes them to appear in recordings of the class, those recordings may be shown to students enrolled in the other courses.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 20 students
SSCI E-493
Survey Research Methods
Chase H. Harrison PhD, Senior Preceptor in Survey Methodology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17074 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the theoretical underpinnings and practical challenges of survey research, designed to help students better understand, interpret, and critically evaluate surveys and public opinion polls.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in social science research methods, or appropriate background, is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
SSCI E-493
Survey Research Methods
Chase H. Harrison PhD, Senior Preceptor in Survey Methodology, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26404 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces students to the theoretical underpinnings and practical challenges of survey research, designed to help students better understand, interpret, and critically evaluate surveys and public opinion polls.
Prerequisites: An introductory course in social science research methods, or appropriate background, is helpful.
Class Meetings:
Online
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
SSCI E-494
Advanced Research Methods in the Social Sciences: Historical Approaches
Ariane Liazos PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17267 | Section 1
Description
This course surveys historical approaches to research in the social sciences. The purpose is to teach the theory and application of historical research methods to help students create well-designed thesis or capstone projects. It provides students a sound grounding in a broad range and variety of historical fields and approaches (that is, political, cultural, global, institutional, or gender) with special attention to archival research, document analysis, oral history, and the study of material culture. The focus is on understanding how historians and other social scientists approach original historical research and developing the skills required for primary source analysis. The course is ideally suited for Master of Liberal Arts candidates preparing to undertake historical thesis or capstone research as well as others interested in developing their methodological toolkit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Tuesdays, September 3-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SSCI E-495
Advanced Research Methods in the Social Sciences: Quantitative Designs
Chase H. Harrison PhD, Senior Preceptor in Survey Methodology, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16776 | Section 1
Description
This course surveys empirical research methods in the social sciences. The purpose of this course is to teach the theory and application of hypothesis-based empirical research methods to help students create well-designed thesis projects. It gives students a sound grounding in a broad range and variety of approaches, including experimental designs, surveys, case studies, and mixed-methods research, with special attention to sampling, measurement, and threats to validity. The focus is on developing analytical thinking skills, identifying empirical research questions, formulating hypotheses, operationalizing ways to test them, and drawing conclusions based on statistical techniques. Readings are drawn from government, international relations, psychology, and other similar fields. The course is ideally suited for Master of Liberal Arts candidates preparing to undertake empirical thesis research as well as others interested in developing their methodological toolkit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SSCI E-496
Advanced Research Methods in the Social Sciences: Qualitative Approaches
Richard Joseph Martin PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26901 | Section 1
Description
With an emphasis on qualitative approaches, this course surveys a wide range of research methods in the social sciences. The purpose of this course is to teach the theory and application of these research methods to help students create well-designed thesis projects. It gives students a sound grounding in a broad range and variety of methods including phenomenology, ethnography, case study, grounded theory, and narrative research, with special attention to interviewing, observational techniques, and emergent design. The focus is on developing analytical thinking skills, identifying research questions, and developing conclusions based on the collection and analysis of primary data. The course is ideally suited for Master of Liberal Arts candidates preparing to undertake qualitative thesis research as well as others interested in developing their methodological toolkit.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 25 students
SSCI E-597b
Identity Precapstone: Theory and Research
Alexandra Sedlovskaya PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17260 | Section 1
Description
This course exposes students to scholarly literature on a broad range of topics in the social scientific study of identity, such as class, gender, race, religion, and sexuality. Readings draw on a variety of methodological approaches, and students are expected to engage with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research. Students cultivate an understanding of psychological approaches and their relevance to solving real-world problems related to identity, building toward a capstone project in applied research. The course requires a draft, revision, and oral presentation of a written proposal for the capstone project in SSCI E-599b (which includes a problem statement, literature review, identification of sites and stakeholders, and project rationale).
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted candidates in Master of Liberal Arts, psychology or anthropology, who are in their penultimate semester. Prospective candidates and students with pending admission applications are not eligible. Candidates must be in good academic standing, have completed the engaging in scholarly conversation series (if required), and be in the process of successfully completing all other degree requirements. Candidates must enroll in the capstone, SSCI E-599b, in the upcoming spring term as their one and only final course (no other course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone). Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, September 4-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
SSCI E-599b
Identity Capstone: Bridging Research and Practice
Alexandra Sedlovskaya PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26902 | Section 1
Description
This course builds upon the foundation established in SSCI E-597b by creating a capstone project that bridges research and practice. The project includes two components: the project prototype and the academic report. The prototype is the specific product designed to address the real-world problem identified in the fall term proposal. Prototypes can take two different forms. First, they can apply research to design a project that addresses a real-world problem experienced by stakeholders. Second, they can communicate scholarship to audiences who would benefit from knowing the information (for example, a publishable article or a website explaining current research to non-academic stakeholders). Projects are based on specific interests of each student and developed in consultation with the instructor. These specialized projects allow students to seek a practical application of research on identity, while developing their skills designing research-based practice and engaging stakeholders. The capstone culminates with a formal presentation of the students’ projects.
Prerequisites: Registration is limited to officially admitted capstone track candidates in the Master of Liberal Arts, psychology or anthropology. Candidates must be in good academic standing, ready to graduate in May with only the capstone left to complete (no other degree-fulfilling course registration is allowed simultaneously with the capstone), and have successfully completed the precapstone course, SSCI E-597b, in the previous fall term. Candidates who do not meet these degree requirements are dropped from the course.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 18 students
STAR E-160
Why Do Movies Move Us? The Psychology and Philosophy of Filmgoing
Nathan David Roberts PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26909 | Section 1
Description
If films are fictional, why do they elicit emotional reactions in viewers? Why do movies make us laugh, cry, and scream? This course considers thirteen possible answers to these fascinating and challenging questions by closely and critically analyzing the emotional power of various fiction films, from Hollywood classics like Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times and Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window; to contemporary films by the renowned directors Steve McQueen and Greta Gerwig; to masterpieces of art cinema like The Passion of Joan of Arc and Daughters of the Dust. These films are considered by recourse to classical and contemporary film theory, alongside primary texts from the field of psychology. Students grasp how canonical and contemporary psychological concepts from psychoanalysis to contemporary neuroscience can help us consider our central inquiry. Moreover, by situating these concepts within relevant philosophical frameworks, students understand these theories derive from diverse, and continually contestable, worldviews regarding how humans relate to their cinematic environments. Assigned films and written texts help students develop the skills needed to write a final paper regarding a film of their choosing, so they may offer their own critical argument regarding why movies move us.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
STAR E-184
American Nightmares: Horror Cinema and Television
Charlotte Szilagyi PhD
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26895 | Section 1
Description
Why do we go, again and again, to movies that make us scream with terror? Why do we seek out overwhelming fear? Is slaughter really the best medicine? In this course, our mission is threefold. First, we identify the iconography and the visual rhetoric of fear, and of hope, in horror cinema and television, and examine this versatile genre with its multiple subdivisions that make horror film both exciting and popular, including horror-comedy, creature features, zombies, monsters, demonic possession, witchcraft, paranormal, slasher, psychological, found footage, action, folk horror, vampire horror, animal horror, eco-horror, analog horror, slasher-horror, and political horror. Second, we outline the screen potential of the occult, and the capacity of the horror genre to imagine an alternative future, in the pursuit of an oppositional and politically progressive cinema. Third, we investigate the ways this genre is so uniquely positioned to both dive deep into the complex terrain of the human psyche, with all its crevices, and concurrently explore a whole nation and its collective fears and nightmares. Why is this seemingly unrealistic genre the best mirror into our personal and social existential despair? Why, for all its disturbing depiction of the supernatural, do we regard horror cinema and television the best vehicle to highlight a fundamentally human experience? We examine classic and contemporary horror films and series including The Phantom of the Opera (1925), Frankenstein (1931), Dracula (1931), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948),The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Psycho (1960), The Night of the Living Dead (1968), The Hellstrom Chronicles (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975), Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Jaws (1976), The Omen (1976), The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Halloween (1978), Alien (1979), The Shining (1980), They Live (1988), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1986), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), The Blair Witch Project (1999), American Psycho (2000), Hellbent (2004), Paranormal Activity (2007), Teeth (2007), Jennifer’s Body (2009), The Final Girls (2015), Grindhouse: Planet Terror (2007), Get Out (2017), Us (2019), Midsommar (2019), Them (2021), American Horror Story (2022), and Pearl (2022).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
STAR E-198
Blockbuster, Mythbuster: American Superhero Cinema and Television
Charlotte Szilagyi PhD
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17258 | Section 1
Description
This course examines the complex ways in which Hollywood has responded to, and reflected on, the social, cultural, and political need for superheroes. The concept of the superhero functions as a structuring idea in American self-understanding and cultural iconography. Originally the stuff of comic books, the superhero has now become associated with the Hollywood blockbuster, a genre in its own right. And yet, much-deserved scholarly and academic interest has only recently caught up with this popular phenomenon in American cinema and television. How might we make sense of blockbuster superheroes? Are they agents of change, or upholders of the status quo? Are they virtuous or flawed? Are they patriots of the nation, or rather vigilantes distrusting government authority? Are they promoters of the common good, or rather prime exemplars of American individualism? Do they save us from our enemies, or from ourselves? Are they motivated by utopian dreams of a better world, or by collective fears and anxieties? Is the supervillain a foreign entity, an Other antithetical to US values, or a repressed, undesired trait in the American self? And to what extent are race, gender, religion, and ethnicity factors in the development of superhero cinema? What is the relationship between superheroes and real-life heroes? And, above all, what is the place of heroes in American history? At a time when superhero cinema has established itself as a staple of Hollywood blockbuster productions, reaching ever-broader audiences and becoming part of the popular cultural lexicon, the mission of this course is threefold. First, we examine the iconography of the superhero as a timeless mainstay of American mythology. Second, we investigate specific ways in which superhero cinema has mirrored, and intervened in, American political, social, and cultural history, especially when certain ideals, dreams and liberties have become tenuous whether it is fascism, the Holocaust, the cold war, totalitarian governments, 9/11 terrorism, warrantless wiretapping, conspiracy, international espionage, police brutality, suspicious data collection, or fake news. Third, we probe to what extent the Hollywood superhero a barometer of domestic social history and a fundamental part of Americana is actually a product of foreign influence, in surprising, and sometimes even problematic, ways. We examine films and television shows ranging from Superman: The Movie (1978), X-Men (2000), Unbreakable (2000), Spider-Man (2002), V For Vendetta (2005), Iron Man (2008), The Dark Knight (2008), Watchmen (2009), Captain America (2011), Wonder Woman (2017), Black Panther (2018), Joker (2019), The Boys (2019), The Umbrella Academy (2020), and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 40 students
STAT E-100
Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences and Humanities
Hidefusa Okabe ALM, Business Analytics Advisor, Evernorth Health Services
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16833 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the basic concepts of data analysis and statistical computing, both increasingly used in the social sciences and the humanities. The emphasis is on the practical application of quantitative reasoning, visualization, and data analysis. The goal is to provide students pragmatic tools for assessing statistical claims and conducting their own basic statistical analyses. Topics covered include basic descriptive measures, measures of association, sampling and sample size estimation, and simple linear regression. Assignments are based on real-world data and problems in a wide range of fields in the social sciences and humanities, including psychology, sociology, education, and public health. Students may count one of the following courses toward a degree or certificate, but not more than one: MGMT E-104, STAT E-100, STAT E-101 (offered previously), STAT E-102, or STAT E-104.
Prerequisites: No prior data analytic experience required, but a working knowledge of basic high school algebra is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, September 9-December 21, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 180 students
STAT E-100
Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences and Humanities
Hidefusa Okabe ALM, Business Analytics Advisor, Evernorth Health Services
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24571 | Section 1
Description
This course introduces the basic concepts of data analysis and statistical computing, both increasingly used in the social sciences and the humanities. The emphasis is on the practical application of quantitative reasoning, visualization, and data analysis. The goal is to provide students pragmatic tools for assessing statistical claims and conducting their own basic statistical analyses. Topics covered include basic descriptive measures, measures of association, sampling and sample size estimation, and simple linear regression. Assignments are based on real-world data and problems in a wide range of fields in the social sciences and humanities, including psychology, sociology, education, and public health. Students may count one of the following courses toward a degree or certificate, but not more than one: MGMT E-104, STAT E-100, STAT E-101 (offered previously), STAT E-102, or STAT E-104.
Prerequisites: No prior data analytic experience required, but a working knowledge of basic high school algebra is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 150 students
STAT E-100
Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences and Humanities
Stacey Gelsheimer PhD, Senior Lecturer on Economics, Boston University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26935 | Section 2
Description
This course introduces the basic concepts of data analysis and statistical computing, both increasingly used in the social sciences and the humanities. The emphasis is on the practical application of quantitative reasoning, visualization, and data analysis. The goal is to provide students pragmatic tools for assessing statistical claims and conducting their own basic statistical analyses. Topics covered include basic descriptive measures, measures of association, sampling and sample size estimation, and simple linear regression. Assignments are based on real-world data and problems in a wide range of fields in the social sciences and humanities, including psychology, sociology, education, and public health. Students may count one of the following courses toward a degree or certificate, but not more than one: MGMT E-104, STAT E-100, STAT E-101 (offered previously), STAT E-102, or STAT E-104.
Prerequisites: No prior data analytic experience required, but a working knowledge of basic high school algebra is recommended.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
STAT E-102
Fundamentals of Biostatistics
Amy Tsurumi PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 24540 | Section 1
Description
This course is an introduction to statistical methods used in biological and medical research. Elementary probability theory, basic concepts of statistical inference, regression and correlation methods, and sample size estimation are covered. Emphasis on applications to medical problems. Students may count one of the following courses toward a degree or certificate, but not more than one: MGMT E-104, STAT E-100, STAT E-101 (offered previously), STAT E-102, or STAT E-104.
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
STAT E-109
Introduction to Statistical Modeling
Bharatendra Rai PhD, Professor of Decision and Information Sciences, Charlton College of Business, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26040 | Section 1
Description
This is a second course in statistical inference and is a further examination of statistics and data analysis beyond the introductory course. Topics include t-tools and permutation-based alternatives including bootstrapping, analysis of variance, linear regression, model checking, and refinement. Statistical computing and simulation-based emphasis is also covered as well as basic programming in the R statistical package. Emphasis is placed on thinking statistically, evaluating assumptions, and developing tools for real-life applications. By the end of the course, students should be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of statistical techniques appearing in the media, scientific literature, or students’ own work. Students may not count this course toward a degree if they have already completed STAT E-139, offered previously. Students may not count both CSCI E-106 and STAT E-109 toward a degree or certificate.
Prerequisites: An introductory statistics course such as STAT E-100 or STAT E-104 (offered previously).
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Wednesdays, January 29-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 100 students
STAT E-150
Intermediate Statistics: Methods and Modeling
Natasha Prasadini Ramanayake PhD, Associate Psychologist, Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 17269 | Section 1
Description
This intermediate statistics course is intended to give students familiarity with statistical tools used to analyze data in a variety of disciplines, including psychology, and provides experience reading and understanding studies based on data analysis. The focus is on understanding underlying concepts rather than on memorizing mathematical formulas. Students use R to analyze data and gain experience reading output and translating it into meaningful findings. The course covers linear and logistic regression, various types of ANOVA, as well as effect sizes and power analyses. Students may only take one of the following for degree or certificate credit: PSYC E-1900 (offered previously), STAT E-150, or STAT E-160.
Prerequisites: STAT E-100, STAT E-102, STAT E-104, or the equivalent; understanding of univariate statistics, correlation, univariate regression, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA is assumed.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, September 5-December 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Optional sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 150 students
STAT E-150
Intermediate Statistics: Methods and Modeling
Carolyn Gardner-Thomas PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 23445 | Section 1
Description
This intermediate statistics course is intended to give students familiarity with statistical tools used to analyze data in a variety of disciplines, including psychology, and provides experience reading and understanding studies based on data analysis. The focus is on understanding underlying concepts rather than on memorizing mathematical formulas. Students use R to analyze data and gain experience reading output and translating it into meaningful findings. The course covers linear and logistic regression, various types of ANOVA, as well as effect sizes and power analyses. Students may only take one of the following for degree or certificate credit: PSYC E-1900 (offered previously), STAT E-150, or STAT E-160.
Prerequisites: STAT E-100, STAT E-102, STAT E-104, or the equivalent; understanding of univariate statistics, correlation, univariate regression, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA is assumed.
Class Meetings:
Flexible Attendance Web Conference
Thursdays, January 30-May 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Required sections to be arranged.
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students may attend at the scheduled meeting time or watch recorded sessions asynchronously. Recorded sessions are typically available within a few hours of the end of class and no later than the following business day.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 150 students
STAT E-160
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Max Krasnow PhD, Lecturer in Extension, Harvard University
Fall Term 2024 | CRN 16982 | Section 1
Description
Statistics are the tools we use to summarize and describe the world around us and to explore the causal processes at work. Understanding statistics and how they are used and misused is vital to assimilating information as an informed citizen, as well as pursuing a career in the behavioral sciences and other fields. This course covers introductory and intermediate-level statistics, and covers topics including principles of measurement, central tendency and variability, probability and distributions, correlation, hypothesis testing, t-tests, analysis of variance and covariance, linear and logistic regression, and chi-square tests. Students may only take one of the following for degree or certificate credit: PSYC E-1900 (offered previously), STAT E-150, or STAT E-160.
Class Meetings:
Online
Required sections Fridays, 8:30-9:30 am or 8-9 pm.
Term Start Date: September 03, 2024
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes:
Enrollment limit: Limited to 60 students
STAT E-160
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Adam Smith PhD, Consulting Associate, Leadership Advisory Services, Spencer Stuart
Spring Term 2025 | CRN 26620 | Section 1
Description
Understanding and performing statistical analyses is a vital ability for those working in the psychological and behavioral sciences. Regardless of a person’s specialty, the concepts of variability, probability, and predictive modeling are fundamental for answering questions involving data. This intermediate-level statistics course is designed to help students understand how to manage data, formulate strong questions and hypotheses, perform analyses, and accurately evaluate statistical results and output. We use the free and open-source program R/RStudio to run statistical analyses. Because we use this tool, both academic and industry-oriented students leave the course with the capability to run complex analyses without the need for expensive software. We cover topics related to the general linear model, including regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Students may only take one of the following for degree or certificate credit: PSYC E-1900 (offered previously), STAT E-150, or STAT E-160.
Class Meetings:
Live Attendance Web Conference
Mondays, January 27-May 17, 5:10pm-7:10pm
Term Start Date: January 27, 2025
Tuition:
Noncredit credit $1,560, undergraduate credit $2,100, graduate credit $3,340.
Credits: 4
Notes: This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time.
Enrollment limit: Limited to 55 students
