Well it’s time to make those final decisions regarding which courses I’ll be taking for my “senior year” (which will run from October through the end of December).
The original rules I set out for this Degree of Freedom involved taking to completion a number and range of courses equivalent to what would be required of a student obtaining a degree from a liberal arts university. In my case, that translated to 32 courses with specific distribution and major requirements.
Between the courses I’ve already completed or am about to complete (which you can view by clicking those Lineup links to your top right) and the ones listed below, all of those original requirements will be met, leaving me room to explore a couple of interests outside the major (a nice treat, especially given how many new and cool-looking courses have come online this fall).
Within this year’s batch of courses, I’m hoping to do a couple of sub-experiments within the overall Degree of Freedom experiment. For instance, the course of Pragmatism (America’s contribution to the philosophical canon) listed below is my second attempt to piece together my own course on a subject of interest not currently served by a MOOC. And I plan to take at least two courses as part of a learning group (more on both efforts should be appearing on the blog in the coming weeks).
So here’s what the rest of 2013 will look like:
Course: Søren Kierkegaard – Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity
Institution: University of Copenhagen
Provider: Coursera
Category: Social Sciences
Credits: 1 (Major – Intermediate/Advanced)
Course: The Fall and Rise of Jerusalem
Institution: Tel Aviv University
Provider: Coursera
Category: Social Sciences
Credits: 1
Course: Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science
Institution: Harvard
Provider: edX
Category: Science and Mathematics
Credits: 1
Course: China
Institution: Harvard
Provider: edX
Category: Social Sciences
Credits: 1
Course: Technology Entrepreneurship – Part 1
Institution: Stanford
Provider: Novoed
Category: Special
Credits: 1
Course: Pragmatism
Institution: Various
Provider: Independent Study
Category: Social Sciences
Credits: 1 (Major – Intermediate/Advanced)
Course: Why Evil Exists
Institution: University of Virginia
Provider: Great Courses
Category: Social Sciences
Credits: 1 (Major)
You’ll notice that this list currently includes just seven courses. Partly, this is because I want to leave an opening in case some neat course appears that hasn’t been announced yet. But I’ve also got an opportunity in the works that could serve the role of a senior writing project, so I’m keeping one slot open until I (and after that you) know more.
Looks like a very interesting selection. Might join you on The Fall and Rise of Jerusalem.
Have you thought about writing a book on your experiences once you are done? Given there is probably few (if any) people in the world who have completed more MOOC’s than you have, it would be interesting to read more lengthy reflections from you on the future of learning and the experience of learning massive amounts quickly.
I look forward to sharing the Jerusalem class with you (presuming we can find each other in the crowd).
I’ve definitely given thought to a book, but you (and I) will need to stay tuned to see where that ambition ends up.
Best,
Jonathan
I’m working on a similar concept for my Masters coursework…. I’m very interested in self-directed/independent/autonomous learning and have not found a Masters that addresses the issue. I’m currently logging my experience at http://julieacunningham.com/masters-via-mooc/. Would love your feedback and to hear more about your experience.