Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

misanthrope

(8,930 posts)
Sat May 24, 2025, 06:55 PM May 24

Harvard University plays its trump card

Last edited Wed May 28, 2025, 01:29 AM - Edit history (1)

In response to the attacks from the Trump administration, Harvard University is offering free online courses in U.S. civics, the Constitution and how to recognize dictatorship.

https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/government

Scroll down, and you will see the free courses. Enroll if you want, but most importantly, spread word. This is invaluable not just for educating citizens but for summoning good will and support for the university in its fight.

EDIT TO ADD: Many of these classes were offered previous to Harvard's entanglement with Trump. There appears to be no class specifically named for recognizing autocracy.

65 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Harvard University plays its trump card (Original Post) misanthrope May 24 OP
Brilliant malaise May 24 #1
They should also offer a course on how to recognize a psychopath, symptoms, behavior, treatment options, etc. Irish_Dem May 24 #2
100% agree. That might sting a little too chicoescuela May 24 #8
A entire Abnormal Psychology seminar could be taught just using Trump and his crime syndicate members as examples. Irish_Dem May 24 #14
Might as well add some historical figures such as Pol Pot, Stalin, etc. just for reference. erronis May 24 #17
Most kids don't know who these people are. Irish_Dem May 24 #23
And that's why history repeats itself. Especially in societies that try to erase the past. erronis May 24 #24
The goal of the class is to teach psychology, not history. Irish_Dem May 24 #26
That may be true, but it wouln't hurt them to know Klondike Kat May 25 #54
Weelll... ananda May 24 #34
excellent! markie May 24 #3
Nice! hlthe2b May 24 #4
I want 'How to rid yourself of a tyrant 101" C_U_L8R May 24 #5
K & R Nevilledog May 24 #6
I love it! Pisces May 24 #7
Well done, Harvard! (nt) Paladin May 24 #9
OMG (as they say 😁) this is the perfect link for me to send walkingman May 24 #10
Civics class! ChazInAz May 24 #29
Something like 30 years ago I was helping a friend study for her citizenship test EverHopeful May 25 #51
Another idea misanthrope May 24 #43
Great idea - you are correct. walkingman May 26 #65
Ok, Harvard, you obviously have some pretty smart people there. Biophilic May 24 #11
They are f'ing around with the smartest people in the world MadameButterfly May 25 #46
I enrolled! UpInArms May 24 #12
Oh, I don't have time but man, a course from Harvard MadameButterfly May 25 #47
Great plan! Thanks, Harvard! Hekate May 24 #13
We had to take civics when I was in High School and I am glad that Harvard is offering these courses LetMyPeopleVote May 24 #15
Brilliant spanone May 24 #16
Now if only [Redacted] and the entire regime would sign up and take them... n/r TygrBright May 24 #18
BRAVO orangecrush May 24 #19
YESSSSssssss !!!!! What a great idea! liberalla May 24 #20
DAMN RIGHT, OR SHOULD I SAY DAMN LEFT...... a kennedy May 24 #21
It is not "in response to the attacks." Harvard has been offering these free courses for years. Ms. Toad May 24 #22
I heard the same thing you said also mentioned today and others noted misanthrope May 24 #44
They were listed as free on the site 2 years ago. Ms. Toad May 24 #45
Ms. Toad is correct once again TnDem May 25 #53
John Harvard approves. usonian May 24 #25
'courses in U.S. civics, the Constitution and how to recognize dictatorship' elleng May 24 #27
I found the free Constitution course, ... aggiesal May 24 #28
Oh, snap! synni May 24 #30
Sharing far and wide. Mr. Jinx May 24 #31
Credit wblffmike May 24 #32
Thank you for posting this important and valuable resource! Tanuki May 24 #33
Great news! Thank you and thank Harvard. It begins to fill a large hole in US education! . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz May 24 #35
I signed up and already did the first class. tRump will hate it! marybourg May 24 #36
We had civics in 8th grade. boonecreek May 24 #37
That's a very good thing to do. Very good! 👍 dchill May 24 #38
Awesome. Thanks underpants May 24 #39
Given the attacks by Trump and the support of those attacks from the right, I believe Scalded Nun May 24 #40
K & R & Bookmarked! SunSeeker May 24 #41
I read once... czarjak May 24 #42
K & R . . . Journeyman May 25 #48
Touch Harvard! Cha May 25 #49
Awesome idea! Dark n Stormy Knight May 25 #50
THIS!!! calimary May 25 #61
K&R mdbl May 25 #52
If you take it you can put on you resume.... frogstar0 May 25 #55
If one is a grandparent or parent of a highschooler. Or really smart middle schooler Prairie_Seagull May 25 #56
Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times - You Hear That, Donnie? panfluteman May 25 #57
Shared on my social media! hamsterjill May 25 #58
Great link. When I see what they offer I understand why Trump is going after them. twodogsbarking May 25 #59
Now Trump will have their internet access cut in the interests of national security. twodogsbarking May 25 #60
Harvard is offering free courses Trump's Idiots could benefit from LetMyPeopleVote May 25 #62
I admit I wasn't the best student at civics back then (2004-2009, around that time), but then again, I learn differently tornado34jh May 25 #63
It appears as if some have a deadline to complete next month. Looks like they have been available since 2024? Evolve Dammit May 25 #64

Irish_Dem

(72,217 posts)
2. They should also offer a course on how to recognize a psychopath, symptoms, behavior, treatment options, etc.
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:01 PM
May 24

Irish_Dem

(72,217 posts)
14. A entire Abnormal Psychology seminar could be taught just using Trump and his crime syndicate members as examples.
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:29 PM
May 24

erronis

(20,570 posts)
17. Might as well add some historical figures such as Pol Pot, Stalin, etc. just for reference.
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:57 PM
May 24

Irish_Dem

(72,217 posts)
23. Most kids don't know who these people are.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:10 PM
May 24

I would use more modern figures, the serial killers, famous mob bosses, TV and movie figures, celebrities, etc.

erronis

(20,570 posts)
24. And that's why history repeats itself. Especially in societies that try to erase the past.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:16 PM
May 24

Here we are, again.

Irish_Dem

(72,217 posts)
26. The goal of the class is to teach psychology, not history.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:20 PM
May 24

Last edited Sat May 24, 2025, 08:53 PM - Edit history (1)

To produce clinicians.

Most psych majors will be horrified to see psychopaths running the country.

ananda

(32,566 posts)
34. Weelll...
Sat May 24, 2025, 09:01 PM
May 24

IMO, can psychopathy really be treated?

I would think that they would have to be separated
from the rest of human society.

Also, I cannot imagine a psychopath even taking
this course.

IOW, I really see the offering of this course as a
dig at Republicans, the great majority of which
are indeed psychopaths.

Nevilledog

(54,437 posts)
6. K & R
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:08 PM
May 24

My 78 yo mother-in-law is coming for a 6 week stay. While we generally agree on social and political issues, she has several friends that are Fox viewing morons. She never feels like she's strong enough to fight back when they spout their lies, but I'm hoping she'll gain some confidence to state her position if we do some of these courses together. I'll let you know.

walkingman

(9,528 posts)
10. OMG (as they say 😁) this is the perfect link for me to send
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:22 PM
May 24

to my friends and family that are Trumpers! They will totally flip out and probably never speak to me again.

Something like -

"Ok, I'm sending you this....free online courses at Harvard University, just in case you have forgotten your civics class in HS or College. We all need a refresher from time to time. Hope you are doing well - this administration is making me sick at my stomach. ☮ "

ChazInAz

(2,929 posts)
29. Civics class!
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:27 PM
May 24

I was talking with one of my housemates last night, a beautiful young British lady who's studying for her citizenship exam. We agreed that most Americans younger than I am (75) wouldn't be able to pass it.

EverHopeful

(555 posts)
51. Something like 30 years ago I was helping a friend study for her citizenship test
Sun May 25, 2025, 06:05 AM
May 25

and was embarrassed by how much I'd forgotten in such a relatively short time away from HS civics classes.

Definitely time for me to sign up for these classes.

misanthrope

(8,930 posts)
43. Another idea
Sat May 24, 2025, 11:21 PM
May 24

Send it to them and tie it in with approaching 250th anniversary of the nation in 13 months. Tell them you thought it would be a great way for everyone to celebrate our rights as Americans that the Founding Fathers risked so much for and that we need to preserve. Frame it as both fun, beneficial and patriotic. Don't work in any digs at the POTUS, that way they could be more prone to take you up on it.

MadameButterfly

(3,248 posts)
46. They are f'ing around with the smartest people in the world
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:39 AM
May 25

If it weren't so serious I'd be making popcorn.

Maybe I'll make the popcorn anyway.

UpInArms

(53,100 posts)
12. I enrolled!
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:27 PM
May 24

Thank you … thank you … thank you!

ETA

Have been sharing this madly and gladly!

MadameButterfly

(3,248 posts)
47. Oh, I don't have time but man, a course from Harvard
Sun May 25, 2025, 02:42 AM
May 25

how cool that would be!

Maybe I sign up and bail before the exams

LetMyPeopleVote

(166,210 posts)
15. We had to take civics when I was in High School and I am glad that Harvard is offering these courses
Sat May 24, 2025, 07:39 PM
May 24

Ms. Toad

(37,282 posts)
22. It is not "in response to the attacks." Harvard has been offering these free courses for years.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:05 PM
May 24

I took free online courses from Harvard close to 2 decades ago, and several of the civics courses on the page you linked to were offered in 2023 (according to the Wayback machine).

misanthrope

(8,930 posts)
44. I heard the same thing you said also mentioned today and others noted
Sat May 24, 2025, 11:25 PM
May 24

that some of the courses pertaining to what I mentioned up top were made free just in the last few days.

Ms. Toad

(37,282 posts)
45. They were listed as free on the site 2 years ago.
Sat May 24, 2025, 11:52 PM
May 24

At least as near as I can tell from your description of the courses. (https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/government" target="_blank">Here's the page from two years ago in March) And Harvard has participated in offering free courses through EdX since 2012.

TnDem

(1,031 posts)
53. Ms. Toad is correct once again
Sun May 25, 2025, 08:00 AM
May 25

I took a free course called "Justice" over five years ago.

usonian

(18,982 posts)
25. John Harvard approves.
Sat May 24, 2025, 08:17 PM
May 24


Or as The Lampoon put it: "Johnny on the pot"

Compare. Our Dicktater all sore-ass over Mexican toilet paper.


marybourg

(13,504 posts)
36. I signed up and already did the first class. tRump will hate it!
Sat May 24, 2025, 09:14 PM
May 24

He is mentioned for his Muslim exclusion order. True and unbiased statements about the history of slavery and the Civil Rights movement are featured. FDR, LBJ, Obama and Biden ( read the transcript as it scrolls down. At one point Obama was substituted for Biden) are shown in a positive light.

boonecreek

(1,129 posts)
37. We had civics in 8th grade.
Sat May 24, 2025, 09:19 PM
May 24

Had to pass a Constitution test to graduate. IIRC we had to ace it.
I'm definitely taking a couple of these. Thanks for posting.

Scalded Nun

(1,438 posts)
40. Given the attacks by Trump and the support of those attacks from the right, I believe
Sat May 24, 2025, 10:14 PM
May 24

Harvard should consider rescinding all degrees from those GOPers involved.

Rescind on the basis of lack of ethical standards and their refusal to honor, support and defend our constitution.

Every law school in this country should pull those degrees. They are an embarrassment to the schools from where they graduated.


Just like the ABA should revoke law licenses from all lawyers in the Trump administration, including the Attorney General and FBI director (if he has one). That is assuming the ABA can do that. I do not know for certain, but if they can, they should.

frogstar0

(160 posts)
55. If you take it you can put on you resume....
Sun May 25, 2025, 09:29 AM
May 25

"Enrolled at Harvard University" "Taken classes from Harvard." etc

Prairie_Seagull

(4,282 posts)
56. If one is a grandparent or parent of a highschooler. Or really smart middle schooler
Sun May 25, 2025, 10:06 AM
May 25

please get them involved at least with the civics stuff. We all know how lacking this is in our current system. For me, I had a great civics teacher in high school. Probably responsible for much that I am.

IMO

twodogsbarking

(14,352 posts)
59. Great link. When I see what they offer I understand why Trump is going after them.
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:31 PM
May 25

Last edited Sun May 25, 2025, 04:33 PM - Edit history (1)

twodogsbarking

(14,352 posts)
60. Now Trump will have their internet access cut in the interests of national security.
Sun May 25, 2025, 01:35 PM
May 25

If he follows his game plan.

tornado34jh

(1,494 posts)
63. I admit I wasn't the best student at civics back then (2004-2009, around that time), but then again, I learn differently
Sun May 25, 2025, 05:44 PM
May 25

Although they are still good as a basic reference, most of what I know wasn't from textbooks because they change every year and it doesn't always reflect what is actually going on, although I was in a good school system nonetheless (Fairfax County in Virginia). Most of my learning I did on my own, research, going to museums, visiting other countries to see how they compare, that sort of thing. I was good at history, especially world history. But again, you can learn it all you want, but if you don't put it into practice, as evident from what we have now, then it is meaningless. Of course, world history is a big thing to understand. One the big reasons we are in this mess is because we haven't learned anything when a government like this occurs in other countries. That's why they are after higher education, because it is one of the only ways we can learn from it and develop critical thinking. All dictatorships want a dumb population so that they can easily control them. It happened in Nazi Germany, and we're quickly following its lead.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Harvard University plays ...