What are some of the most famous courses taught at Harvard College? I'm trying to understand the curriculum scaffold at elite universities.
Here are a few highly-regarded and famed courses from Harvard College that come to mind:
1. "Justice" - This course is taught by Michael Sandel and dives into moral and political philosophy, addressing topics like consent, democracy, and individual rights. It's incredibly popular, often filling up Harvard's largest lecture hall.
2. "Science of the Physical Universe 27: Science and Cooking" - This is a unique general education course that combines science and culinary arts. It often invites guest chefs from around the world for demonstrations, using cooking to illustrate principles from physical science.
3. "CS50: Introduction to Computer Science" - Regarded as one of the best courses for anyone interested in computer science, this class, hosted by David Malan, has broad appeal even outside the CS department due to its hands-on, user-friendly approach to programming.
4. "Economics 10: Principles of Economics" - Often considered a must-take class for economics students, this course is usually taught by prominent economist Greg Mankiw and offers an in-depth look at microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.
5. "Religion 22: Interpreting Humanity, Interpreting Religion" - This course explores the religious, historical, and moral aspects of humanity, serving as a great introductory course for students interested in the humanities.
6. "Humanities 10a: A Humanities Colloquium: From Homer to Garcia Marquez" - This year-long course spans classical to contemporary works and guarantees students a comprehensive grasp on seminal texts across a range of cultures.
Note that while these courses may offer a glimpse into Harvard’s curriculum, it’s important to consider how your own academic interests align with the offerings at any institution. Unique and distinguished courses can be found in every department across this prestigious university.
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