Online Courses for Book Lovers during COVID-19

COVID-19 has relegated my classmates, my friends, my family members, and me to our respective homes. I feel so blessed to have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and my fiancé to keep me company. I am grateful every day, but it’s easy to get stir crazy. I take great comfort in finding ways to fill my days that don’t (always) involve eating the whole box of Goldfish while watching The Office for the 47th time.

Fortunately, the guitar lessons I was taking prior to shelter-in-place were moved onto Zoom. Unexpectedly, I had such a great time with the online platform. I was worried it would be awkward, but it’s been great to learn something new while connecting with others. Shortly after our first digital class, my mom posted in our family group text about The Science of Wellbeing, an online course offered by Yale via Coursera. I signed up and have loved learning about little ways to bring more joy and fulfillment into my life. Having lectures to watch and some coursework to (optionally!) complete has brought some additional structure and non-law school stimulation to my days.

Disclaimer: I say this all while strongly believing shelter-in-place shouldn’t be a productivity mandate. Yes, I did some decluttering and am spending more time on creative writing than I’ve been able to at other points in my life, but I’ve also watched all of Netflix’s Love Is Blind, Cheer, and Tiger King (highly recommend all of the above) and made brownies. That said, maintaining a routine is important to me. Knowing I have tasks to look forward to each day helps me manage anxiety, especially in this uncertain time.

I find that people who love to read often love to learn, so I was inspired to peruse the Internet for free, bookish courses to share with you. I hope one of these online classes piques your interest, or that you will check out websites like Coursera and edX to find a class that excites you!

Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals, offered by the University of Newcastle via edX

I’m a sucker for a good fairytale, in any form. I was obsessed with ABC’s Once Upon a Time until it got old, and my favorite YA series is The Lunar Chronicles (Read: a futuristic, cyborg Cinderella saves the world with the help of a revamped Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White.) This 3-week course starting on April 1 would be perfect for you if you can relate. It delves into the historical context of a handful of European fairy tales, including the social and cultural mores that influenced their authors.

Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare, offered by the University of London via Coursera

Whether you’re a former English major/Bard buff or a total Shakespeare novice, this course takes a fascinating approach to exploring Shakespeare's most famous works. The course will take you on a textual treasure hunt for clues that Shakespeare’s authorship should be questioned.  (Writer bias here: I’ve always loved the theory that Shakespeare was actually a band of badass women writing underground for the exclusively-male stage!)

Masterpieces of World Literature, offered by Harvard University via edX

The critical thinker in me is always a little horrified when courses have names like “Masterpieces of World Literature.” You’re telling me you can fit the “Masterpieces of World Literature” into a 12-week course? My qualms with the name aside, I love that this class aims to expose students to pieces of literature from around the world that engage with the cultural tensions and political conflicts of their times. This class covers some of my favorite stories, including The Epic of Gilgamesh and 1001 Nights, as well as other well-known texts like The Odyssey and Candide. 

As an addendum, I want to share some courses in creative writing offered by Wesleyan University via Coursera. Both general Creative Writing Courses and Memoir & Personal Essay Courses are available. What better to do while in quarantine than write!