Courses - April 2024

[smallhobbit]

Five courses this month, although one took eight weeks.

FutureLearn

The Meiji Restoration and the Modernisation of Japan: The Dynamism of Yukichi Fukuzawa (Keio University)  A really interesting course about someone I had never heard of and am very glad to have learnt about.  From the 1860s, when Japan began to modernise Fukuzawa was keen to help and set up his own school to teach his values.  Many of his ideas are as relevant today as they were then.  His key theme was 'independence and self-respect' which meant that education should not be simply to fulfil a government's aims, but to teach how to challenge established thoughts and ideas.  Self-respect meant that each individual was equal to every other, which in turn means others need to be treated with respect.

OpenLearn

International Relations: Exploring Territorial Divisions  A short course covering how the world has been divided over the years including how the current Middle East situation began.  

Discovering Chemistry  This was a badged course and a definite struggle.  I'm unlikely to do any more specifically science based courses, although if there are specific areas, having done some chemistry will help.  Anyway, I passed the tests and got my badge, so I'm happy!

Intermediate French: Holiday plans  I'm off to Belgium (the French-speaking part) in a couple of weeks, so I thought doing a French course would help as a refresher.  I was pleased with what I could understand.

The Many Guises of the Emperor Augustus  Part of a new collection of courses on Graeco-Roman culture and history.  Seeing the different ways Augustus chose to present himself to win over the different sections of the Roman population and therefore maintain his power was interesting.


Coming up I have a couple of FutureLearn courses planned, plus there are 7 OpenLearn courses in the Graeco-Roman collection, so I shall work my way through them over the summer.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

You try such a variety of subjects. It's really impressive.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I see what's available and go with them if they are vaguely interesting - there's so much around to find out about!

[annofowlshire]

Ah, I need that chemistry class XD I'm very Yay! Science! but I'm finding thanks to the Enting's interest in it that either I didn't learn very much in school or I forgot it all really fast. (Probably a combination of both.)

I've picked up a book called How to be Good at Science, Technology, and Engineering (aimed at 7-11 year olds) that breaks concepts down into simple, visual steps. It's great for both of us! I also got their maths book because I know I have gaps there that are going to catch up with me eventually, too. (I've learned long division at least twice in my life, and it's never stuck in either case.)

[smallhobbit]

The chemistry was A-level standard, so above what I've done but helpful as background information. At least you have a while to go until Enting reaches that standard - and by then he will be treating you as if you know nothing anyway!! The book you found sounds very helpful.

[annofowlshire]

If he does GCSE or A-level sciences (or whatever the qualifications are by then), I'll probably enroll him in a home ed-friendly program to help him study for it.

[corvidology]

Your posts have inspired me to look in to the large variety available to me through my university. Thanks!

[smallhobbit]

That's good. I hope you find something you enjoy :)

[adafrog]

That top one sounds really interesting.

[smallhobbit]

It was. I wasn't expecting too much, but really enjoyed it. Proof once again that it's worth trying lots of different things.

[rusty_armour]

Another catch-up comment. As always I'm impressed by the breadth and variety of the courses you choose to take. That first course sounds particularly interesting. I also like the sound of The Many Guises of the Emperor Augustus. Kudos to you for taking that French course. I keep meaning to improve my French and just never seem to find the time. I hope you have a chance to use your French in Belgium and have a wonderful time! :-D

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. The course about Fukuzama was very interesting. And I'd never thought about how Augustus deliberately presented himself.