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Senior University Goes to Georgetown

By Christine Hall

Join Senior University at Georgetown University this week and take a look at the free online classes they offer. Here are just a few.

The Business of Aging in the Longevity Economy

The Business of Aging in the Longevity Economy will introduce you to the interdisciplinary field of aging, important concepts of senior living administration, and to the master of science degree at Georgetown University in Aging & Health. This three-module course is appropriate for anyone interested in learning about aging personally or professionally, including college graduates who are interested in aging social and policy issues as well as mid-career or encore-career students who seek professional advancement or a shift in career track: https://www.edx.org/course/the-business-of-aging-in-the-longevity-economy.

How the U.S. Government Works & How to Get Involved

Feeling overwhelmed by modern-day politics? Looking to get involved but not sure where—or how—to start? Wondering what you can do to channel your energy into action and make a difference? This course is for you. Led by expert faculty from Georgetown University, How the Government Works & How to Get Involved offers a refresher on the fundamentals of American government in the context of what’s happening right now. You’ll leave the course with the tools you need to become an engaged, empowered citizen and make your voice heard: https://www.edx.org/course/how-the-us-government-works-how-to-get-involved

Genomic Medicine Gets Personal

While the advances in genomics promise to usher a new era in medical practice and create a major paradigm shift in patient care, the ethical, legal and social impact of genomic medicine will be equally significant. The information and potential use of genomic discoveries are no longer issues left for scientists and medical professionals to handle, but have become ones for the public at large. Rarely a day passes without a genomics-related story reported in the media. By the end of this course, students will be able to better understand the field of genomics; be familiar with various online databases and resources; and understand and appreciate the medical, social, ethical, and legal issues associated with the availability of personal genomic information: https://www.edx.org/course/genomic-medicine-gets-personal

The Divine Comedy: Dante’s Journey to Freedom, Part 1

As a 21st century reader, you will encounter the poem in a novel online environment that integrates knowledge from the disciplines of literature, history, psychology, philosophy, and theology with modern technology. You will be guided through the poem by means of the “MyDante” Project, an online environment developed by Professor Ambrosio in collaboration with the Georgetown University Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS), which will aid your own contemplative engagement with the poem. Alone and with the edX community, you will reflect on both Dante’s interpretation of freedom and how it functions in the formation of personal identity, and the problem of finding appropriate metaphors to discuss these issues in our modern life: https://www.edx.org/course/the-divine-comedy-dantes-journey-to-freedom-part-2

Quantum Mechanics for Everyone

Quantum Mechanics for Everyone is a four-week long MOOC that teaches the basic ideas of quantum mechanics with a method that requires no complicated math beyond taking square roots (and you can use a calculator for that). Quantum theory is taught without “dumbing down” any of the material, giving you the same version experts use in current research. We will cover the quantum mystery of the two-slit experiment and advanced topics that include how to see something without shining light on it (quantum seeing in the dark) and bunching effects of photons (Hong-Ou-Mandel effect): https://www.edx.org/course/quantum-mechanics-for-everyone