Founded in 1701, Yale University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities of the United States, situated in New Haven, Connecticut. A Private Ivy League Research University, Yale is home to many Departments and has ranked number 8 among the top-10 list of “Best Universities across the world.” Reported as number 1 Law School by the US News, in 2020, Niché listed Yale as number 4 in the list of “Best Colleges in America.” 

Standing tall with its historic pride, the structure is no less than an old castle; Yale University features a wide array of programs, departments, schools, centres, museums, and many affiliated organizations. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will be fascinated to know, thatYale first-year students are treated to a formal holiday banquet every year akin to a Harry Potter-style Hogwarts feast. 

If you are thinking about opting for some Open Courses from Yale, you will not be disappointed because there are indeed many choices awaiting you. From Literature, History, and Art to Geophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, and Philosophy, you will find some of the most valuable courses amongst the list of Open Courses offered by Yale. Here are some of the best ones: 

1. African American History: From Emancipation to the present 

The course focuses on African American history, tracing back to the times of “Slave Trade” the arrival of Blacks in White-dominant America, and then draws back to the present scenario, the position, the achievements and the lifestyle of African Americans in modern society. Students who want to focus on American/ African American studies while pursuing their higher education will love this comprehensive course because it will take them deeper into the roots, dating back to the 1860s. 

Some of the key highlights of the course are “Civil War”, “Reconstruction”, the “Urbanization” of African Americans, “Civil Rights Movement,” and so much more. From the leadership of Booker T. Washington to the influence of Martin Luther King Jr., there is so much to know about in this course. This course consists of 25 lectures and will be led by Jonathan Holloway, Professor of History, African American Studies, and American Studies. 

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2. Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering

For students who are interested in the field of Biomedical Engineering and are hoping to establish a sound understanding of the field before opting for a degree program, the Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering is the ideal course for them. Beginning right from the basics concepts of Biomedical Engineering and their connection with the spectrum of human activity, this course will let you explore the critical areas of the field. 

From learning the fundamentals of Science and Engineering on which the field of Biomedical Engineering is based, to exploring Case studies of drugs, and covering other vital areas of biomedical and engineering, including “Genetic Engineering,” “Tissue Engineering,” “Cardiovascular Physiology” and many other exciting places. This is truly a comprehensive course that will help you establish a firm understanding. 

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3. The Atmosphere, the Ocean, and Environmental Change

The Atmosphere, the Ocean, and Environmental Change is a course for students who are interested in exploring the fields of Geology, Environmental Science, and Geophysics. In this course, you will be learning about the physical processes that control Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, and climate, and along with that, the quantitative methods for constructing mass and energy budgets. You will be exploring all the essential topics that are related to the Atmosphere and Ocean, such as Clouds, Ozone Layer, Ocean Currents, Air Pollution, severe Storms, the Seasons, and so much more. 

You cannot help but feel so connected with this course because it will take you deeper into the topics that are related to Nature, and at the same time, explore vital issues like global warming, energy, and water resources. Ronald B. Smith, Damon Wells, Professor of Geology & Geophysics, will lead this course. 

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4. Introduction to Theory of Literature

A course ideal for students of Literature who want to dive deeper into its most critical Literary Theories, this introductory course will connect you with the main trends in twentieth-century literary theory. From Literary Theories of Freud, Lacan, and Derrida to understanding Modern main ideas like New Criticism, Postmodern Psyche, New Historicism, and Post-Colonial Criticism, there are so many interesting literary theories that will connect you with various authors and movements that eventually helped in shaping Modern and Postmodern Literature. 

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5. Roman Architecture

Roman Architecture is a course that is genuinely designed for lovers of Art. This course offers a beautiful opportunity for students enrolled in programs related to Art, to explore the ancient masterpieces ever created by the Romans, and in a way, dive deep into the history of the Roman Empire and its great architectures. This course will focus more on Roman monuments, Mural paintings, architectural developments in Rome, Pompeii, and Central Italy, and also will provide a survey of historical sites built by the Romans that are now known in the present day as North Italy, Sicily, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, and North Africa.

Amongst the lectures, you will also be introduced to more than 1500 images, where a good proportion of them are a collection of 

Professor Diana E. E. Kleiner and Dunham are Professors of History of Art and Classics. You will thoroughly enjoy this course if you are an Art and Architecture enthusiast or a student of it.

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6. Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature

Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature, although it can be interesting for students of all disciplines, will add exceptional value to students of Philosophy or those who are planning to pursue a degree in Philosophy. Because this course is all about Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature, how can it not include Plato and, of course, his gentle opposition to Aristotle? From classical Philosophers to modern ones, including Kant, Hobbes, and Mill, this comprehensive course will let you explore it all. 

This course basically focuses on three sets of topics, including “Happiness and Flourishing,” “Morality and Justice,” and “Political Legitimacy and Social Structures,” that eventually establish a firm understanding of Human Nature and the Philosophy behind everything encompassing it. 

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7. Introduction to Psychology

As the name suggests, this introductory course on Psychology is one of the most intriguing courses you can opt for. From “Interpreting Your Dreams” as prescribed by Sigmund Freud to exploring what he says, the “Conscious” and the “Unconscious” portion of our Brain, this comprehensive course, to be precise, is a scientific study of thought and behaviour. 

Have you ever paid importance to your dreams or the sexual desires that you have sometimes fulfilled in your dreams? Did you know that every plan has multiple meanings and can be interpreted? From exploring topics like communication, learning, memory, decision-making to diving deeper into the areas of lust, hunger, dreams, and so on, this course is going to change your perception forever and increase your love for Psychology even more. 

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8. Foundations of Modern Social Theory

For students of Sociology, this course is of great importance because it will introduce them to the Modern Social Theories, the major works of Sociologists who framed the ideas of the modern world. Intellectual contexts, conceptual frameworks and methods, and contributors like Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Adam Smith, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, can this course be any more attractive? This course is for you if you are someone who is fascinated with the most potent modern theories proposed by renowned authors like Freud, Locke, Hobbes, Marx, and many others. 

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9. Global Problems of Population Growth

A course that takes you to the root causes of Global Problems of Population Growth, this survey course will begin with introducing you to essential and primary material on human fertility, population growth, demographic transition, and population policy. The key focus will be laid on human and environmental dimensions of population pressure, demographic history, economic and cultural causes of demographic change, environmental carrying capacity and sustainability, as well as the political, religious, and ethical issues surrounding fertility. Throughout this course, you will learn to balance theoretical and demographic scales based on real-life surveys and understand how vital is Population control and what impact it lays on the Global communities as a whole. 

From Evolution of Sex and Reproductive Strategies to Biology and History of Abortion, and eventually focusing on Population and the Environment, this course will take you back to the past, and bring back to the present scenario where the population growth is worsening globally, and what measures could be taken to prevent it. 

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10. Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics

The last course on this list is for those who are fascinated by Astronomy and Astrophysics and will focus on the three most exciting areas of Astronomy that are mostly a part of controversies and are advancing very rapidly- the focus will be laid on Extra-Solar Planets, Black Holes, and Dark Energy. From understanding the Solar System to discovering the areas of it that still have no solid foundation to put significant emphasis on, this course is undoubtedly attractive, fascinating and will answer much of your queries.

Students of Physics, Astrophysics, Astronomy, or someone who is a fan of Sci-fi movies and is curious about Planets, Black Holes and Dark Ages will absolutely enjoy this course. 

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These were the best Open courses offered by Yale University.