Free Online Courses

Course / Program Name: Modern Poetry

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Yale

Course of Study: Writing / Literature

Course Link: Take This Course

Description: Taking a look at various aspects of modern poetry, this course was recorded in Spring 2007 whilst it was being delivered on campus by Professor Langdon Hammer and is delivered primarily in video format.

The aim of the course is to provide all learners with with an insight into poetry in the modern day.  From how it is written, its characteristics and primary users to how it compares to more traditional poetry, it makes for a very interesting course for any writer.

To accompany the main video of this course, there are various documents that can be download to assist learners,  including several written course pages.

Course / Program Name: Small Business Success

Hosted by / Sponsored by: About.com

Course of Study: Increasing business success

Course Link: http://sbinfocanada.about.com/c/ec/20.htm

You are the one that makes your small business unique, and by investing in yourself, you can make your small business more successful. And that’s what this small business success course is all about.

Here’s what you’ll learn about in this free course:

• Freeing up more time by getting organized.
• Relaxation methods, which empower you with added energy to take on the multiple items on your to-do list.
• Techniques to market your business more successfully, by marketing yourself better.

Taking it one week at a time

This class is specifically geared toward the harried business person.

You’ll receive a brief topic focus each week, which lays out the success area covered during that 7-day period, along with a related assignment.

Along with your assignment, you’ll be provided with added information, which you can also read if you choose to do so.

Keep the following in mind, before signing up:

• Be careful when putting in your email address. Incorrect emails will get bounced.
• If you want to learn at a faster pace, there is the option to click on “Missed Lessons” link, which appears at the bottom of the lessons, then choose any lesson(s) you want to get right away.

This class lasts for 10 weeks, and you’ll get your initial lesson the moment you sign up.

Course / Program Name: The Greek Word

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Elpenor’s Lessons

Course of Study: Greek

Course Link: Take this course

Description: There is something very satisfying in learning a language through the words of myths and legends as you become lost in the texts of ancient worlds. Elpenor’s lessons take you on a journey through the life and times of the ancient Greeks as you study its language through poetry, philosophy and theology. Discover Homer’s The Odyssey or Plato’s works as you begin to learn this beautiful and complex language.

Elpenor’s lessons begin very simply and as you progress and gain experience, you may wish to try more complicated lessons. The website offers many resources, such as audio files and a library, to help you as you navigate the lessons at your own pace. More guidance is available with Elpenor’s blog at the University of Wisconsin, which you can also access on The Greek Word website.

Course / Program Name: Get Me Rewrite: The Craft of Revision

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Poynter’s News University

Course of Study: Writing / Literature

Course Link: Take This Course

Description: Having the ability to effectively read through and amend your own writing before it is published is one of the most important skills that any writer can hold.

Aiming to provide all learners with the basics of ensuring that their writing is free of any errors and is as clean as it can be, this course leads learners through a variety of different topics, covering everything from identifying weak words and phrases to being aware of when a sentence or paragraph can be shortened to make for a better read.

Expected to take around 2 hours to complete, this free online course was created by Chip Scanlan, an associate professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism who has over 20 years worth of reporting and feature writing experience.

Course/Program Name: Roman Architecture

Hosted by/Sponsored by: Open Yale courses

Course of Study: Architecture

Course Link: Take this course.

Description: Get a solid overview of the evolution of Roman Architecture—from the 8^th century B.C. to the Republican period through the late Roman Empire.

The introductory course travels from local areas in Rome and Pompeii across the Roman Empire—from France to North Africa to East Asia. It explores the earliest stages of stone construction to later masterpieces of concrete and arched architecture, including the outdoor Coliseum and the interior space of the Pantheon. Throughout is an emphasis with urban planning and individual monuments in relation to politics and society.

Download the 23 lecture sessions in video, audio and print, delivered by Yale University Professor Diana E. E. Kleiner, author of numerous notable books on Roman art. You will view over 1,500 images of temples, basilicas, theaters, amphitheaters, bath complexes, tombs, and trends in decorative mural paintings. In the process, students gain appreciation for the continuing influence of Romanization in architecture.

Texts:
Claridge, Amanda. Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Ward-Perkins, John B. Roman Imperial Architecture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994.

Course / Program Name: Conduct Powerful Job Interviews

Hosted by / Sponsored by: About.com

Course of Study: Interviewing potential employees

Course Link: http://humanresources.about.com/c/ec/72.htm

No business person ever wants to regret hiring any particular employee. Therefore, it is essential to know the ins and outs of conducting safe, legal job interviews, which also lead to choosing the best applicant for an open position. After all, the interview just might be the most significant factor in the hiring process.

For instance, you want to make sure any candidate fits your company culture. Therefore, enhancing your interview skills can only make your business that much stronger, which makes this free email class a must for any serious business person.

Class objectives:

To gain interview tips and specific interviewing techniques that transform interviews into an effective tool and method to best size-up job candidates.

You’ll learn the following:

• Available job interview approaches
• Planning successful interviews
• Conducting job interviews
• Conducting behavioral interviews
• Recognizing illegal questions, and why they’re illegal
• How to choose excellent behavioral job interview questions

General class information:

Classes commence right as you sign up and receive your sessions. You will also be sent a daily study guide every morning from then on. When taking the class, please feel free to go at your own pace. However, you will see messages in you in-box every day.  Nevertheless, you can click on a link within your first newsletter, which gives you the option to have classes sent in one complete bundle.

Also, please keep in mind that you will not be allowed to change your email address while taking the class. To be safe, make certain you use an address you’ll have for the minimum of five days. Furthermore, the teacher cannot reply to any “anti-spam” measures during this class. Simply put, if you’re computer restricts emails until a “real sender” sends it, you’ll have to turn this function off in order to proceed with the class. If you desire feedback, you may also post questions in HR Community Connection Forum

Course / Program Name: French

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Carnegie Mellon University

Course of Study: French Language

Course Link: Take this course

Description: Carnegie Mellon offers an introductory course in French Language through the Open Learning Initiative. Divided into 15 lessons each, you can start with French I and progress to French II as you learn and master the fundamentals of the language.

You’ll begin each lesson with vocabulary and grammar recognition before you proceed.  The interactive videos even use French actors to add authenticity to the self guided materials and you’ll always have access to a tutor for assistance.

Each lesson takes approximately one week to finish and the suggested completion time for the entire course is about 30 weeks (or 2 semesters).

Course / Program Name: What Is Good Writing?

Hosted by / Sponsored by: The Open University

Course of Study: Writing / Literature

Course Link: Take This Course

Description: The aim of this course is to provide the learner with a thorough understanding of why good writing is important and how exactly to achieve it, primarily in an academic setting.

Particularly comprehensive, this free online course by The Open University is divided into 4 topics, with 3 of them having a substantial amount of sub-points, covering everything from understanding what an essay is through to taking the objective, analytical stance in your writing.

The course is expected to take a full 12 hours and as it is at an introductory level, the delivery is especially suited to those who are completely new to writing.

Course / Program Name: Listening to Music

Hosted by / Sponsored by: Open Yale courses

Course of Study: Music

Course Link: Take this course

Description: This introductory course on Listening to Music is a longstanding favorite at Yale College. It includes 23 recorded video sessions by Yale Professor of Music, Craig Wright, author of six books on music.

You will learn to develop aural skills through an historic view of Western music—from the rhythms of jazz and pop, to the bass patterns of blues and rock to the piano music of Mozart and Beethoven. The course will examine how music is put together—from the structure of chords and harmony to various forms like rondos, sonata-allegros, fugues, theme and variations—and even the ostinato. By the end of the course you will be able to discern styles from ancient sounds to Modernism.

The course textbook  Listening to Music is written by Professor Wright and includes a six-volume CD set. All lectures are downloadable as written transcripts and in both audio or video formats.

Small Business Success Course

Course / Program Name: Organize Your Small or Home Office

Hosted by / Sponsored by: About.com

Course of Study: Business organizational skills

Course Link: Take this course.

This course covers ways to organize a home office or small business, so it will be of the most use to you. This can be done whether you’re just starting a small business, or if you just have a space so messy you don’t know where to begin. With these helpful tips and tools, you’ll be more productive because this free study will get you organized and transform an office area into a space where work gets done consistently.

In a mere seven weeks, you’ll be exposed to general knowledge about small offices and home office designs. Furthermore, it will prepare you to implement a filing structure, put all your important documents in order, assure the safety of all business information, and just generally be a more efficient businessperson.