March 04 2016, 13.24 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
· The biggest night in awards season just passed by, and we’ve compiled our recommendations for your red carpet MOOCs.
The Academy Awards recognize achievements in film – a medium which reflects societal shifts, fresh historical perspectives, and advances in technology, just like MOOCs. And the MOOC nominees are…
The Martian
Few things in life are more mesmerizing than Matt Damon defying the odds alone in outer space. Learn from the experts how space travel work with UC3M’s Space Rocket Exploration and Human Spaceflight from KTH.
Straight Outta Compton
Get the up-to-date inside track with Berklee’s Introduction to the Music Industry, then keep your momentum going with Creativity & Entrepreneurship from MIT. (Rice University’s Religion & Hip-Hop Culture, taught by Professor Pinn and Bun B, is archived, but you can still enroll to view course material and get notified when the course returns.)
The Big Short
As Michael Lewis said in his book The Big Short, “It’s really hard to know when you’re lucky and when you’re smart.” Luckily the University of Michigan is making it easier to be smart about money with Finance for Everyone: Smart Tools for Decision-Making. See more finance courses here.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Films set in dystopian futures always get our wheels turning about urban planning. How would you design the future? Put your ideas to the test with ETH Zurich’s Quality of Life: Livability in Future Cities. Were you more fascinated by the film’s strong female lead than the scenery? Study real-world strong female characters with Smith College’s upcoming Psychology of Political Activism: Women Changing the World.
The Revenant
While Leonardo DiCaprio’s character faces extreme circumstances in this film, there’s even more buzz about the fate of his nomination for Best Actor. For those interested in boosting their ability to bounce back from the surprises, trials, and disappointments of life, we recommend Becoming a Resilient Person from the University of Washington.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs created a technology empire, and within that empire a booming marketplace in which individuals and companies alike can market their software. Take your first step toward becoming an app inventor with MIT’s Mobile Application Experiences Part 1: From a Domain to an App Idea.
Inside Out
This film’s portrayal of the human psyche made audiences laugh and cry – we’re only human, after all. Improve your analysis skills with St. Margaret’s Introduction to Psychology.
(Interested specifically in child psychology? Positive Behavior Support for Young Children is archived, but you can enroll to view the course material and will be notified when the course runs again.)
Joy
Our MOOC nominee for Joy seemed like a no-brainer: UC Berkeley’s popular Science of Happiness course. But for those students envious of Joy’s ability to create a business dynasty, we also recommend MIT’s Becoming an Entrepreneur and Entrepreneurial Opportunities from the University of Adelaide.
Ex Machina
Humans are building smarter computers every day. Learn what measures we can take to ensure our advancements are safe with TU Delft’s Responsible Innovation: Ethics, Safety, and Technology, then challenge yourself with UC Berkeley’s Artificial Intelligence course.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
In case you missed it, we’re pretty big Star Wars fans.
the oscars It’s an honor just to be nominated…
Whether you’re tuning in to root for your favorite nominees or just in it for the red carpet banter between today’s biggest stars, Penn’s Hollywood: History, Industry, Art will provide you with excellent insight into the history and politics of the film industry.
There you have it: our official 2016 Oscars companion MOOCs. Which edX course would you pair with a nominee? Let us know in the comments or tweet @edXOnline.
