Harvard's Thomas Patterson to offer free online course
On September 8, Harvard Professor Thomas Patterson’s free online course about American government will begin.
Professor Patterson’s course is part of HarvardX, which aims to bring free online courses to anyone interested in a subject, regardless of the country in which they live. Harvard University is seeking to discover the best way to conduct online courses and to make the courses of Harvard University professors available to an international audience.
All HarvardX courses are free of charge, though students have the option of paying a small fee to receive a Harvard University Certificate if they complete the course requirements.
In his HarvardX course, Professor Patterson takes a broad look at the American political system, starting with its constitutional foundation.
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| Harvard Professor Thomas Patterson. |
The course then proceeds to describe and explain the workings of American institutions, such as Congress and the presidency; then to an examination of US mass politics, including the role of public opinion, political parties, and interest groups; and concludes with an examination of US policies, everything from the country’s economic policies to its foreign policies.
At several points in the course, Professor Patterson makes reference to America’s relationship with Vietnam, including the Vietnam War and the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Professor Patterson served in Vietnam as a US army officer during the Vietnam War and, like many Americans who came here during that time, developed a deep admiration for Vietnam and its people.
He has since returned several times to Vietnam seeking to contribute to stronger relations between Vietnam and the US.
The course is taught in English but language is the only barrier to enrollment. As indicated, the course is free of charge to anyone who wants to register: https://www.edx.org/course/american-government-harvardx-hks101a
The course starts September 8 with two sessions each week through mid-December. Because it's an online course, previous lectures can be accessed at any time so individuals can start the course at a time convenient to them.