Question of the Week
Mini-Courses on DailyLit?
If we were to add mini-courses to DailyLit (e.g. topics in 7, 14 or 21 installments), which courses would be of interest? Also, if you’re an expert in a particular area, I’d be curious which courses you’d like to “teach”.
Replies (30)
Posted by
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Yes, this sounds interesting. I can't think of any particular courses/topics I'd prefer, but anything short and simple enough to be taught in a relatively small number of DailyLit installments could work. I'm not sure if I could "teach" something, but perhaps if this gets started, after seeing what kind of things are done, I might be able to contribute if I have time.
Aug 9, 2010 3:51 pm
by Dronak -
Any "chunks of history" e.g, the Ottoman empire or Math history
Aug 9, 2010 5:52 pm
by marygene -
I would be interested in an Armchair Traveler course. I don't go anywhere, but I am interested in learning about people and places. I could teach others how to write an effective complaint letter.
by moengey -
Would love to be able to get a layman's intro to psychology, could provide insights for character study.
Aug 9, 2010 10:32 pm
by Bu.Jasmine -
Thanks for your input, @Dronak, @marygene, @moengey, and @Bu.Jasmine. Very helpful. In case you're interested, there's a parallel discussion happening on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DailyLit and also on Twitter by following @DailyLit.
by susandanziger (admin) -
History (events, specific time periods, certain people or country, etc.), physics, self-improvement, cognitive behavior therapy, art history, philosophy, ethics
Aug 10, 2010 9:04 am
by khouse29 -
Game theory would be interesting to me.
Aug 10, 2010 10:21 am
by RBHolb -
I would love introduce Legal Terminology or Medical Terminology in this format.
Aug 10, 2010 10:51 am
by jamurphy -
I'd be highly interested in literature courses (introductory to in-depth looks into lit from specific time periods, countries, formats, genres, key authors, specific texts, theories, critical aspects...).
Also, introductions to philosophical schools would be interesting.
Good luck with this project - I'm not an expert in any of the above, but am curious to a chronic degree!Aug 10, 2010 1:47 pm
by rachelmnop -
I would enjoy current events and/or nonfiction essays on the latest in technology.
Aug 10, 2010 6:50 pm
by dreamdust -
Mini-history courses would be a great idea, especially if they relate to the time period covered in some of the books offered. For example, I took a few weeks away from reading "War and Peace" to do some research on Russia and France during that time period. A short mini-course during that time would have been wonderfully helpful, especially since it would (presumably) boil things down to the most important points.
I'd also be interested in things like the tarot, reflexology, herbology, and perfume making, especially simpler things I can make with ingredients I can get at the supermarket or drug store.
Modern Lit sounds interesting, too...I might find new authors to read!Aug 10, 2010 7:28 pm
by Xena13 -
I'd be interested in refresher math courses - algebra, algebra II, geometry, trig, precalculus, and calculus
Aug 11, 2010 9:15 am
by fayebeyeler -
Basic language classes would be awesome. Grammar and stuff like that.
Aug 11, 2010 9:26 am
by aaraia -
I would like to teach a short course on how to make a Job Handbook. A Job Handbook is a "how to" reference for anyone who would need to step into your position on a moment's notice. What if you needed surgery and had to be on leave for 6-8 weeks? This reference manual could be invaluable with step-by-step instructions for the person keeping your chair warm!
Aug 11, 2010 10:38 am
by carolinascott -
A writing course so we could maybe end up with books on this site. Lit courses definitely and history as described by Xena 13. A very good idea.
Aug 12, 2010 3:21 am
by kattykathy -
Elements of a good photo, country history, our history , basics of gardening, canning made easy - as you can see I love lrearning about a variety of things. I think that it would be an asset to DailyLit.
by mhebert -
Astronomy! Back when Barnes & Nobel offered online courses, their Astronomy course was very popular. I would love to see books offered in this topic also.
Aug 13, 2010 8:13 am
by sayagain -
I would definitely subscribe. In fact, I've been keeping an eye out for German language lessons on DailyLit. I would also like to see short courses in analytical writing.
Aug 13, 2010 11:51 am
by Pam_Beancounter -
Political Science and Political Philosophy seem to be very a very necessary kind of knowledge for most of us. I'd love a course on those topics. I might also teach a class on philosophical schools of thought, especially Ethics.
by jorarmed -
Hi...I would like a course on how to graft a tree...I have a brand new greenhouse, and want to experiment...thanks
Aug 14, 2010 2:11 pm
by buzzer102 -
I would like to see courses on literary analysis. A course on point of view, for example, or courses on character development and plot development.
Aug 14, 2010 3:31 pm
by KatherineIV -
I'd like to know more about the particular or unique foods/customs/traditions of different countries or regions.
by mamabird296 -
Yes, @mamabird296! You said it perfectly! That's exactly the mini-course I would take.
by moengey -
I would love to 'teach' art related history! Canadian and other cultural histories when intertwined with art would be great to relate in segments and could be interesting and understandable. The idea of @Xena13 to have book-related histories would also be a great art history course.
Mini courses really sound like a fabulous idea!
I would also be interested in taking history (especially book related histories), art history and lit. courses.Aug 15, 2010 7:50 pm
by nut_meg82 -
I don't know about courses, but could you add some more Sci-fi? I'm almost through reading all of them!!! Thanks, Bill
by billblock76 -
I could teach a vocabulary course -- introduce a new word, give its etymology, use it in a sentence, and so forth.
As far as what else I'd want, who isn't interested in neuroscience? Or, more simply, how about a refresher on the human anatomy?
by aelliott -
Like billblock, I would also like to see more sci-fi, especially the hard sci-fi, as opposed to fantasy. I would also be interested in a course on it.
Aug 19, 2010 10:35 am
by grammy -
'how to' courses on lots of subjects. like... how to: photograph miniatures; train a dog to NOT bark at passer-byes; repair a broken sofa; get dailylit to offer more (free) sci-fi; sharpen knives; make green leafy veggies taste better; use colons and semi-colons and ellipses...
Aug 20, 2010 1:36 pm
by morbius -
I think a course of Intellectual History of different regions/time periods would be interesting
by sunitamd -
A history of the US, which would include our Bill of Rights, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Amendments to the Constitution and anything else every American should know.
by debcamp