Open University creative writing course on building characters and drafting a short story.
Free certificate
24 hrsBeginner
11 free courses
Free Writing & Humanities courses
Write more clearly, argue better and understand the ideas behind the modern world: writing, history, philosophy, economics and communication courses from leading universities.
11 free courses
Coursera
Introduction to Philosophy
University of Edinburgh tour of big philosophical questions: knowledge, morality, mind and free will.
Paid certificate18 hrsBeginnerCoursera
Introduction to Public Speaking
University of Washington course on crafting and delivering clear, memorable speeches.
Paid certificate13 hrsBeginnerHarvard Online
Justice
Michael Sandel's famous Harvard course on moral and political philosophy and today's debates.
Paid certificate54 hrsBeginnerHarvard Online
Masterpieces of World Literature
Harvard survey of world literature from Gilgamesh and Homer to Borges and Lahiri.
Paid certificate72 hrsBeginnerHarvardX introduction to mapping, analysing and strengthening everyday arguments.
Paid certificate20 hrsBeginnerCoursera
Writing in the Sciences
Kristin Sainani's Stanford course on clear, effective scientific and professional writing.
Paid certificate23 hrsBeginnerYale University (Open Yale Courses)
Death (PHIL 176)
Shelly Kagan's Yale philosophy lectures on death, immortality and how mortality should shape life.
No certificateSelf-pacedBeginnerYale University (Open Yale Courses)
Introduction to Ancient Greek History (CLCV 205)
Donald Kagan's Yale survey of Greek history from the Bronze Age to the classical period.
No certificateSelf-pacedBeginnerYale University (Open Yale Courses)
The American Revolution (HIST 116)
Joanne Freeman's Yale lectures on how colonists became revolutionaries and built a new nation.
No certificateSelf-pacedBeginnerYale University (Open Yale Courses)
Game Theory (ECON 159)
Ben Polak's Yale lectures on strategic thinking, from Nash equilibrium to signalling.
No certificateSelf-pacedIntermediate
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Questions about free writing & humanities courses
Are these writing & humanities courses really free?
Yes. Every course on this page can be studied for free on the provider's own site. 1 of the 11 also give a free certificate; the rest say on the card whether the certificate is paid or not offered.
Which free writing & humanities course should I start with?
Start with a beginner course at the top of the list. Use the Level filter to see only beginner courses, and the Time needed filter to find one that fits your week.