100 Totally Fun and Weird College Courses You Can Now Take for Free

Part of the fun of being a college student is taking all kinds of weird and fun classes that you’d never dream of. But if you don’t have time to fit in all the crazy courses because you’re going to school part-time while juggling a job, or the most popular courses always seem to fill up before you can get a spot, you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out. These 100 fun and weird college courses are now available for free online. Culture and Society

These courses may teach you more about your neighbors than you ever cared to know.

1. Surviving When YOU’RE the Foreigner: Get tips on living and traveling abroad. [Texas A&M]
2. Magic, Witchcraft and the Spirit World: Take a look into the occult world of rituals, trances and magic. [MIT]
3. The Contemporary American Family: Find out how the American family is changing. [MIT]
4. Contemporary Biosocial Problems in America: This course examines behavioral genetics and the biological basis of sexuality and gender roles. [Tufts]
5. Olympic Insider: Learn about all of the global and local issues that impacted the Beijing 2008 Olympics. [Texas A&M]
6. Race and Identity in American Literature: Keepin’ It Real Fake: Learn about the dysfunctional relationship between race and American literature. [MIT]
7. Cultural Performances in Asia: Study the ways in which performers and the media display Asian culture. [MIT]
8. Foundations of American Cyberculture: Study identity, control and other aspects of cyberculture. [Berkeley]
9. New Ideas/Clash of Cultures: Discover how cultures clash over plans for development. [UC San Diego]
10. Economic Demography: Explore the relationship between economics and demographics. [UC Berkeley]
11. Topics in Indian Popular Culture: Spectacle, Masala and Genre: This fun course pulls from trends in Indian cinema, music, politics and art. [MIT]
12. Creole Language and Culture: Take a look at this unique, intriguing culture. [Notre Dame]
13. Japanese Popular Culture: Study Japanese fan culture, sports, films and more. [MIT]

Science and Environment

From kitchen chemistry to hands-on astronomy to the wonderful world of bubbles, these offbeat college classes will teach you about science, space and the Earth in unexpected ways.

14. Darwin’s Legacy: Study how Darwin’s discoveries are relevant today. [UC San Diego]
15. Physics of Rock Climbing: Attempt to solve climbing problems through the study of physics. [MIT]
16. Kitchen Chemistry: In Kitchen Chemistry, you’ll learn chemistry principles through cooking lessons. [MIT]
17. Nonlinear Dynamics I: Chaos: Learn the theory of chaos in this course. [MIT]
18. Introduction to Fluid Motions, Sediment Transport and Current-Generated Sedimentary Structures: Discover how sediment is transported in this course. [MIT]
19. Hands-On Astronomy: Study the stars and planets in this class. [MIT]
20. Building Earth-like Planets: Learn how planets are made when you study these course materials. [MIT]
21. Chemical Investigations of Boston Harbor: This highly specialized course will introduce you to ocean chemistry and more. [MIT]
22. The Amazing World of Bubbles: Learn about bubbles’ "ability to gather, focus and radiate energy." [Cal Tech]
23. Earthquakes in Your Backyard: Learn about the hazards of earthquakes and tsunamis. [Berkeley]
24. Primate Behavior: In this course, you’ll learn about "the social lives of nonhuman primates." [Notre Dame]

Technology and Engineering

Learn all about robots and other weird technology developments from these college courses.

25. History of the Compact Fluorescent Light: Get an in-depth look at the development of the compact fluorescent light. [UC Davis]
26. Technophobic and Asexual?: This class tries to find out why older adults are afraid of online romantic relationships. [Swinburne University of Technology]
27. Social Visualization: In this course, you’ll have fun visualizing the new, digital relationships of people. [MIT]
28. Lego Robotics: Learn how Lego products can be used in robotics experiments. [MIT]
29. GPS: Where are You?: This course teaches you how GPS systems work. [MIT]
30. Artificial Intelligence: Have fun exploring artificial intelligence theories and applications. [Dixie State College of Utah]
31. Sociable Robots: Learn about robots that can interact with other robot partners. [MIT]
32. Nuclear Warfare: This course examines the technological and moral side of nuclear warfare. [Notre Dame]
33. Human Beings and the Machines of Sunshine: This course examines how machines and our relationship with machines have taken a turn for the worse. [Rice]
34. Technology in a Dangerous World: Understand technology as it impacts current events, including terrorism. [MIT]
35. Personal Robots: Here you’ll learn about robots who can think for themselves. [MIT]
36. Technology and Change in Rural America: Understand how technology has shaped food production, farm practices and more. [MIT]
37. Technologies for Creative Learning: This course focuses on the new learning technologies that inspire creative development. [MIT]

Theatre, Music and Art

Have fun learning how to express yourself through the study of music, art and theatre.

38. Masks of Mexico: Discover the mystic imagery of Mexican masks. [University of Arizona]
39. Popular Narrative: Masterminds: Learn literary and storytelling techniques involving masterminds like detectives and murderers. [MIT]
40. The Creative Spark: Find out what drives creativity in this course. [MIT]
41. Picturing the Family: Learn how to preserve family photographs in this course. [The Open University]
42. Hip-Hop: Study hip-hop as a dance form in this course. [MIT]
43. Popular Musics of the World: Study the popular party music of the world, including reggae, bhangra and rave. [MIT]
44. Composing Your Life: This course can help you learn more about yourself through creative exploration. [MIT]
45. Playwrights’ Workshop: This course can help you develop your creative storytelling skills, even if you’re not studying to become a professional playwright. [MIT]

Media and Design

These courses can teach you about comedy, video games and even the allure of American soap operas.

46. Introduction to Comics: Learn about The Professor Garfield Foundation and comics as a learning tool. [Virginia Department of Education]
47. American Soap Operas: Find out what makes American soap operas so intense. [MIT]
48. Art of Color: Consider color as its own art. [MIT]
49. Topics in Comparative Media: American Pro Wrestling: Try to understand the American obsession of watching pro wrestling. [MIT]
50. Videogame Theory and Analysis: Here you can study the importance of video games as cultural indicators and learning tools. [MIT]
51. Nine Lessons Learned About Creativity at Google: Find out what makes the professionals at Google so innovative. [Stanford]

Psychology and Anthropology

Learn more about the human mind and human relationships from these classes.

52. Families and Couples: Find out the feelings and circumstances that lead to marital discord. [UCLA]
53. Explaining Consciousness: This course examines consciousness and imagination. [Open University]
54. The meaning of home: Study concepts like attachment, relocation and acceptance. [The Open University]
55. Photography and Truth: Learn how photographs honestly depict society. [MIT]
56. Gender Issues in Academics and Academia: Have you ever thought about how women and men are treated in academia? [MIT]
57. Social Ethics: This provocative course can help you identify motives and more. [Dixie State College of Utah]
58. The Anthropology of Sound: Here you can study how the different ways that humans perceive sound impacts the various audio technologies developed around the world. [MIT]
59. Sexuality, parenthood and population: Take this course to understand concepts like procreation, marriage and fertility. [The Open University]

Medicine and Wellness

Here you can learn about all the weird, and sometimes useful, medical and health studies, from nutrition on a budget to STIs.

60. Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology: Learn about stomach disorders in this class. [Tufts]
61. Disease and Society in America: Study "the causes of morbidity and mortality" in America as medicine becomes an obsession. [MIT]
62. STI Prevention: Here you’ll learn all about preventing STIs. [Johns Hopkins]
63. Critical Analysis of Popular Diets and Dietary Supplements: Take a closer look at fad diets here. [Johns Hopkins]
64. Global Tobacco Control: In this course, you’ll learn about tobacco surveillance. [Johns Hopkins]
65. Crime, Heredity and Insanity in America: This course examines crime in 19th century America. [Notre Dame]
66. Eat Well for Less: Have fun learning ways to eat better on a tiny budget. [Oregon State]
67. Introduction to Mental Health and Disaster Preparedness: Learn about psychiatric first aid. [Johns Hopkins]
68. Bacteriology: Learn all about bacteria in this course. [UC San Diego]
69. Vitamin Village: Learn all about healthy supplements from "The Vitamin Village." [University of Nottingham]
70. Dilemmas in Bio-Medical Ethics: Playing God or Doing Good?: Consider the controversies of abortion, cloning and more. [MIT]
71. Fundamentals of Clinical Trials: Here you’ll learn how to plan out a clinical trial and submit it to the FDA. [UC Irvine]

History and Politics

Uncover all of the twisted, creepy and awesome players who shaped history in these unconventional college courses.

72. Going Beyond Hip-Hop: History, Politics and Spirituality: Discover all the ways that hip hop has impacted history and culture [Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York]
73. Politics and Warfare: Here you’ll learn about the relationship between war and politics. [UC San Diego]
74. Advanced Topics: Plotting Terror in European Culture: Study Europe’s terrorism history, including topics like anarchism, the Red Brigade, and more. [MIT]
75. The Dark Ages: Discover why the Dark Ages are considered such an important, though mysterious, part of history. [UMass Boston]
76. Ancient Wisdom and Modern Love: This course examines the nature of erotic love in Shakespeare, Plato and Catholic literature. [Notre Dame]
77. Food and Power in the Twentieth Century: This course mixes history, political science and economics to explain how food and food technologies defines communities. [MIT]
78. The repute and reality of being a Roman emperor: Understand the daily duties of a Roman emperor like Augustus. [The Open University]
79. Monarchs, People and History: Here you’ll study the dynamics of the royal family and how monarchies evolve. [UMass Boston]
80. Science in the Scottish Enlightenment: You don’t always get the chance to study how the Enlightenment progressed in Scotland. Here you’ll learn how the economy, The Scottish Church and political structure shifted during the Enlightenment. [The Open University]
81. How to Stage a Revolution: Learn all about radical revolutions, coup d’etats and terror in this course. [MIT]
82. Downtown: Study the influence, evolution and character of U.S. downtown cities. [MIT]
83. Riots, Strikes and Conspiracies in American History: This class allows you study the American tradition of revolution and rioting. [MIT]

Innovation and the Future

These math, science and media courses attempt to predict the future.

84. The restless universe: This math and science course examines the laws of the universe and the future of science. [The Open University]
85. The Brain of the Future: Consider a future that moves from from "book culture" to "screen culture." [University of Nottingham]

Hobbies and Games

Learn fencing or sailing from a free online class.

86. Physical Intelligence: This course can guide you to explore the kinesthetic intelligence of your body. [MIT]
87. Fencing: Learn fencing techniques when you study this course. [MIT]
88. Improving aerobic fitness: Get tips for more effective exercise. [The Open University]
89. Sailing: Learn to sail as part of this course. [MIT]

Miscellaneous

Find even more random and weird courses in this list, from book clubs to spa management.

90. Child care: where we came from and where we’re going: Learn all about child care in Australia. [Swinburne University of Technology]
91. Case Studies in Terrorism Response: Study the protocol for responding to a terrorist attack. [Johns Hopkins]
92. Women’s Novels: A Weekly Book Club: This women’s literature class is set up like a casual book club. [MIT]
93. Horse Behavior and Welfare: This course will teach you how to take care of horses. [Michigan State]
94. White-Collar and Corporate Crime: This course can teach you about corporate crime and ethics. [UC Irvine]
95. Terrorism, Peace and Other Inconsistencies: Consider the modern day discourse on terrorism, suicide terrorism and peace. [Notre Dame]
96. How Silicon Valley Was Made: This course explores how Silicon Valley became such an important region of U.S. innovation, technology and economics. [Princeton]
97. Babylonian Mathematics: By studying Babylonian mathematics, you’ll gain an understanding of the evolution of knowledge, record keeping and economics. [The Open University]
98. Spa and Hospitality Operations: If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to run a spa, take this course. [UC Irvine]
99. Emotion: an introductory picture: Try to understand what drives emotions in this course. [The Open University]
100. Imagination: the missing mystery of philosophy: This course attempts to define imagination and supposition. [The Open University]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 at 9:38 pm and is filed under Courses, Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.