5 Great Online Arts and Humanities Courses to Try

By Tamiera Vandegrift on February 8, 2017

Art is what we stay alive for. Whether it is for a gorgeous painting or a meaningful song on the radio, art has forged a way into our hearts irrevocably. It is a way for us to expand our minds and hearts to learn about something much greater and larger than ourselves.

Taking college courses to learn more about the arts and humanities would be a truly educational and enriching experience, but unfortunately taking those classes might not always be convenient for your schedule. Fortunately, most universities also offer online courses and programs for you to take in addition to your regular course load. This gives you the opportunity to take classes on everything that interests you, including (wait for it) arts and humanities!

When it comes to the arts and humanities world, there is a ton to engage yourself in, but all of it will be rewarding for your brain and soul. Even if you are looking for something a little bit more “practical” to add to your resume, the world of arts and humanities still has something to offer you. Read on to discover some of the best arts and humanities courses to take online.

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Art history

If you are interested in sketching, painting, or just plain ole Crayola coloring, this class might just be your cup of ink. If you are a major history buff, this class could be your cup of … history? Bad puns aside, art history will give you a great dose of art and culture no matter what your interests are.

In this class, you will be introduced to some of the great works of art of the past. You will learn what makes artwork, well, art. You will learn how to analyze, describe, and assess works of art. While you learn, you will also gain greater context of some of your favorite artistic works and learn more about the political, economic, or social situation that shaped them.

You have the opportunity to learn about art in all sorts of historical contexts, and if you ask me, I would say that is a picture perfect deal.

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Creative writing

You do not need to be an F. Scott Fitzgerald or a William Shakespeare to enjoy this class. All that you need is a pencil, some paper, and a brain to make some worthwhile literary art. As a creative writing student, you will learn how to write intelligently. You will learn how to express not only your own thoughts and feelings but the thoughts and feelings of other characters. You will become well-versed in other short stories and works of literary fiction.

After all, to be a good writer, you also have to be a good reader. While you might not think taking a creative writing class would be fun or interesting, you must understand how important writing is in the 21st-century career world. Being a good communicator is everything, and taking a course like creative writing will allow you to have your written work critiqued and improved by your online peers, while also allowing you to use your imagination. That seems like a pretty happy ending to me.

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Film

Lights, camera, action! If you are into the magic of the silver screen, take a peek behind the curtain with an online course on film. You will learn about the history of film, like the story of the Lumiere brothers and the kinetoscope. You will also learn about various eras of film and the film techniques used to create some of your favorite movies.

You will be surprised to learn just how much influence your favorite movies have taken from the landmark films of the past. One of your final projects might include making a short film all on your own!

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Literature

You might just see the word “literature” and think back to your high school days where you needed to analyze Hawthorne and Hemingway until your eyes bled. While we cannot promise you that your eyes will refrain from bleeding, we can promise you that you will find an online literature course that will interest you.

After all, there is a whole, wide world of literature to choose from, including African-American literature, Latin American literature, Women’s literature, Early American literature, and more. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, pick up a book, and get to work!

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Philosophy

Learn how to think logically with philosophy. You will learn all about the thoughts and notes of Descartes, Plato, and Aristotle. You will learn how to construct a strong argument and how to be a critical thinker. You will learn the difference between ethos, pathos, and logos. You will learn how to use the power of words to your advantage — use it wisely!

Students of philosophy tend to go forward into law school, so if you see that in your future, studying philosophy might just be the right path for you. Whether or not you will emerge from the class with dreadlocks and a long board will be completely up to you. We won’t cramp your style.

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